Stroke is something that affects many of us, whether it’s happened to us personally or to someone we love, but oftentimes, the perception is that strokes can only happen to older people. That assumption is wrong.

It can happen at any time: Suddenly, your heart starts to race or you feel a flutter in your chest. Worried, you wonder what’s wrong.

A young stroke survivor has a message about how the life-threatening condition can happen at any age.

Kristen Aguirre, by all accounts, did everything right: She wanted to deliver the news, and work as a storyteller, especially for underserved communities -- and after college, she landed TV jobs in Quincy, Illinois; Flint, Michigan; and then Denver, working as a reporter and anchor. It seemed like nothing could stop her. Until she was blindsided by a ischemic stroke that hit the motor strip of her brain.

Stroke is something that affects many of us, whether it's happened to us personally or to someone we love, but oftentimes, the perception is that strokes can only happen to older people.

Nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute that passes after having a stroke. Caused by decreased blood flow to the brain, a stroke can lead to serious consequences or even death without a quick response.