21-year-old man hospitalized for stroke in northern Vietnam

The patient's family said he first showed symptoms at around 2 a.m. on March 1, but did not immediately go to hospital. By morning, when his condition did not improve, he was taken to a local medical center and then transferred to the Phu Tho General Hospital.

Doctor Khong Huu Phu from the hospital's Stroke Center on Monday said the patient was partially paralyzed and not fully conscious when admitted. A CT scan revealed that he had an ischemic stroke.

Following the medical diagnosis, doctors quickly performed a blood clot removal procedure. Within 15 minutes, his blood flow was restored to normal. The man's condition has now improved.

Although strokes are often associated with older adults, Phu noted an increasing number of younger patients. He said the center has seen a doubling of stroke cases among people aged 18–45, linking the trend to factors such as substance abuse and physical inactivity.