The actor Luke Perry died yesterday, aged 52 years, from complications from a recent stroke. He was, from most accounts, a remarkably decent and humble guy despite having been a superstar at a young age. While I only caught a few episodes of his breakout hit “90210,” I’ve enjoyed his recent run as Archie’s dad on “Riverdale.”
His death hit home to many of us who are his contemporaries. I’m only a year older and my fiance is a month younger. But, while 52 is way too young to die, it’s apparently not unusually young for a stroke.
CNN (“Was Luke Perry too young for a stroke? No, they can happen at any age“):
The death of Luke Perry, after the actor suffered what his publicist said was a massive stroke, is evidence that the disease can affect people of any age, the American Heart Association said.
Perry, who starred in “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Riverdale,” died Monday. He was 52.
“Although stroke often affects older individuals, it is not only a disease of the elderly,” said Mitchell S. V. Elkind, chair of the American Stroke Association Advisory Committee. “There is evidence that stroke rates among young people are increasing in the United States and this requires additional research.”
A 2017 report by the American Academy of Neurology found that 15% of all ischemic strokes happen to young adults and adolescents. But a lack of research, awareness and frequency makes diagnosing the symptoms early on a challenge.
Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all stroke cases. They occur when a blood vessel becomes blocked by fatty deposits and blood has trouble passing through to the brain.
Other types of strokes include thrombotic ischemic stroke — triggered by a blocked vessel — and a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by weakened blood vessels that rupture and bleed into the brain.
The cause and type of Perry’s stroke has not been revealed. But Elkind said it’s important to know risk factors and symptoms.
The article goes on to list those.
Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity and other cardiovascular diseases put people at greater risk for stroke, the heart association said. Avoiding diets with high calories, lots of saturated fat, trans fat and sodium can reduce the risk, as can getting 150 minutes of activity each week, the association said.
While these dangers are well documented but not as well heeded. Remarkable, 38 million Americans still smoke despite decades of campaigning against the practice, skyrocketing prices, and social stigma. Most don’t get enough exercise and few eat anything close to the recommended diet.
I have no idea what led to Perry’s stroke. He looked to be in great shape but may well have had other risk factors.
