PROFESSOR PANKAJ SHARMA is director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Royal Holloway University of London, and is honorary medical director of Different Strokes, a UK charity which supports young stroke victims; differentstrokes.co.uk
Stroke is commonly associated with older people. But while age is a big risk factor, you may not realise that 25 per cent of strokes affect those under 65, many of whom may only be in their 20s or 30s, starting out in their working life and perhaps raising children. In fact, even babies and young children can have strokes.