A neurologist has revealed three uncommon activities he avoids due to rare but serious stroke risks. Throughout his career, he has witnessed these triggers result in potentially life-threatening strokes.
A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel ruptures, causing brain cells to die from lack of oxygen. Immediate medical attention is critical. Common warning signs include sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties.
While common stroke causes include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and pregnancy, some lesser-known factors can also increase risk.
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Neurologist Dr. Baibing Chen, known as Dr. Bing on TikTok, shared his insights in a viral video. He listed three practices he strictly avoids as a precaution.
Firstly, Dr. Bing never uses a massage gun on his neck. “I’m fine using a massage gun elsewhere on my body, but never on my neck,” he explained. The neck contains carotid and vertebral arteries that supply blood to the brain. Aggressive pressure from a massage gun can injure these arteries' inner layers, especially in susceptible individuals. Such injury can cause a dissection, a small tear where a clot can form and travel to the brain, triggering a stroke. Additionally, if plaques are present in the arteries, strong percussion might dislodge them.
Secondly, he avoids keeping his neck in a hyperextended position—tilted backward beyond its normal range—for extended periods. “Maintaining the neck hyperextended for long can compress or kink the vertebral arteries,” he said. This often happens during hair washing at salons. Dr. Bing referred to this as “beauty parlour stroke syndrome,” which can lead to reduced blood flow, dizziness, vision changes, and even strokes. If you experience any symptoms in this position, seek help immediately.
Lastly, Dr. Bing cautioned against popping pimples in the “triangle of death,” the area spanning from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. Veins in this area connect to deeper veins near the brain’s cavernous sinus. Severe infections here can spread inward, causing clots, brain infections, or strokes. Although rare, the neurologist emphasized the importance of avoiding this risky behavior.
Recognizing stroke symptoms early is vital. The NHS acronym FAST helps identify key warning signs:
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By steering clear of these uncommon risks, individuals can help protect themselves from rare but dangerous strokes.