A new study has revealed a dramatic increase in the number of people hospitalized in the United States for cervical artery dissection—a serious condition that can lead to stroke. The findings, published in the journal Neurology, show that hospitalizations for this condition have increased nearly fivefold over a 15-year period.
Cervical artery dissection happens when there is a tear in one of the arteries in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. This tear can lead to blood clots, which may block blood flow and cause a stroke. The condition is especially concerning for people under the age of 50, as it is one of the most common causes of stroke in younger adults.
“Strokes that don’t cause death can still lead to long-term disability, depression, and poor quality of life,” said Dr. Shadi Yaghi of Brown University, one of the study’s authors. “That’s why it’s so important to recognize and treat cervical artery dissection early.”
The researchers reviewed 15 years of hospital data in the U.S. and identified 125,102 hospitalizations for cervical artery dissection between 2005 and 2019. The average age of those hospitalized was 51, and just over half of the patients had a stroke at the same time as the dissection.
The racial and ethnic breakdown of the cases included:
- 65% White
- 10% Black
- 8% Hispanic
- 3% Asian or Pacific Islander
- 14% other racial or ethnic groups
Using U.S. Census data to adjust for population changes, the team found that the rate of cervical artery dissection increased from 11 cases per million people in 2005 to 46 cases per million in 2019. That’s an average annual increase of 10%.
The increase was seen across all groups:
- Hispanic participants: 16% average annual increase
- Black participants: 13%
- Asian participants: 12%
- White participants: 8%
Older adults also saw a sharper rise. The rate increased by 12% per year among people aged 65 and older, compared to 8% per year in those under 65.
Why the Increase?
The researchers suggest a few possible reasons for the growing number of cases:
- Greater awareness among doctors about cervical artery dissection
- Improved access to advanced imaging, such as CT and MRI scans, which can better detect the condition
- A possible true increase in the number of cases, although the reasons behind this remain unknown
Certain physical triggers, such as motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or even heavy lifting, have been linked to cervical artery dissections. However, the condition can sometimes occur with only minor trauma or no clear cause at all.
Dr. Yaghi emphasized the need for better prevention and treatment strategies. “With the growing number of cases, we need to focus on ways to lower the risk of dissection and the strokes that can follow,” he said.
The study relied on hospital admission records, which means it likely did not include cases that were never diagnosed or treated. As a result, the actual number of people affected by cervical artery dissection may be even higher than reported.
This study sheds light on an under-recognized but increasingly common cause of stroke, especially among younger adults. The steep rise in cervical artery dissection cases is alarming, particularly because these types of strokes can have lifelong effects.
One important takeaway is that greater medical awareness and improved diagnostic tools have likely helped more people receive accurate diagnoses. But the fact that the actual number of dissections is increasing—especially in older adults and communities of color—points to the need for deeper investigation.
Doctors, patients, and health systems may need to take extra steps to recognize early warning signs, especially in people who experience neck pain or headaches after physical strain or injury. Raising awareness in emergency rooms and primary care could help catch cases early, before a stroke happens.
The study also highlights the need to understand risk factors beyond trauma, especially since some dissections occur without obvious injury. Researchers may need to explore potential links to genetics, high blood pressure, or lifestyle factors that could be contributing to this rise.
In summary, cervical artery dissection is on the rise in the U.S., and with it, the risk of stroke. Early detection, better education, and continued research will be essential to manage this growing health concern.
If you care about stroke, please read studies about how to eat to prevent stroke, and diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
The research findings can be found in Neurology.
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