One Racer’s Road to the Little 500

Each year hundreds of bikers look to compete in the yearly Little 500 bike race, a staple of Indiana University. Matt Bolotin, a sophomore, was preparing to compete for his first time when he suffered a stroke at the age of 19.

Like most students, Matt did not even know someone around his age and in good health could have a stroke. According to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year. Most of those most happen to people over the age of 65, but according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center up to 10% of all strokes occur in those under the age of 45.  As you get older the risk of having a stroke increases but other factors like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease can contribute to a stroke. While it is less common the younger a person is, a stroke can still happen to young adults and even children which is why it is critical to know the signs. According to Healthline, sickle cell diseases, blood clotting disorders, heart and blood vessel problems are added risk factors for a stroke in those under the age of 18.