Neurology

Long-term, comprehensive care after stroke

Many young adults with stroke are diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke, a stroke resulting from an unknown cause that deprives part of the brain of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in permanent damage. The Stroke and Young Adults Program aims to identify this cause with advanced testing tailored to individual patients: your symptoms, your story, your health. If the cause of your stroke can be identified, we are committed to finding it. 

While many people who have had a stroke are left with persistent symptoms or neurologic deficits, young adults with stroke have to manage these issues over decades of life. At the SAYA Program, we are committed to helping you navigate your life after stroke for as long as we can help. We will work with you to: 

• Minimize your risk of future strokes (resulting from the same cause as the first stroke or other causes that might develop over time)
• Manage persistent symptoms (language problems, weakness, spasticity, neuropathic pain, headache, lethargy, etc.)
• Provide surveillance and treatment for late complications (epilepsy, depression, cognitive impairment, adverse effects to treatments, etc.)

We will work closely with your primary care physician and other specialists to coordinate your care in a holistic manner.

Tufts Medical Center specializes in providing survivorship services to adults who have suffered stroke earlier in life. Our survivorship program recognizes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to recovery. As best as we can, we will help you try to return to your old life, or we will help you adapt and find enjoyment in your new life. 

Young adult stroke survivors are often susceptible to medical complications including:  

• More strokes (ischemic strokes or hemorrhages)
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Cancer
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Neurologic complications including seizures (epilepsy), cognitive impairment, and more. 

Young adults are also susceptible to non-medical complications including:

• Difficulty returning to work
• Strain on relationships
• Problems with intimacy and sexual relations
• Difficulty with returning to driving
• Social isolation 

However, these risks are not the same for each individual, and these risks can change with time, treatment, and lifestyle changes. We want to help you understand and estimate your health risks, develop and implement strategies for minimizing those risks, and not be afraid to live your life well.

Besides guiding you in the clinic, we also have periodic events hosted by the SAYA Social Support Group, a group of young adult stroke survivors in our program. The events are generally social and/or educational events that help you:

• Break the tendency to isolate oneself after stroke
• Learn from the experiences of other stroke survivors
• Form friendships with other stroke survivors
• Learn about lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health from our stroke specialists and therapists
• And have some fun!

On prior occasions we have organized events including:

• Painting classes
• Candlepin bowling
• Mini-golf
• Gathering for coffee and pastries at a bakery