A new study suggests stroke is now targeting a younger crowd.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati looked at stroke cases in people between the ages of 20 and 54 in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metro area during three separate one-year periods.

The overall results showed first time strokes among patients under 55 substantially grew over time. During the first test period from 1993-1994, just 13-percent of patients were under 55. By the final phase in 2005, nearly 19-percent were 55 or younger.

The study authors suggest contributing factors towards the trend include diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol in younger people.

The good news, they say, is that some of these factors can be modified with lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet and adding exercise to your daily routine.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news the doctors are reading, health news for healthier living.