Strokes have many causes, but most are linked to long-term cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and other underlying vascular conditions. Three seemingly harmless habits may also have a link to the deadly condition, however.
A board-certified neurologist warned about the innocuous triggers in an Instagram post, where he claimed he personally steers clear of them.
Dr Baibing Chen, who holds both medical and public health qualifications, drew on cases he has encountered throughout his clinical career.
Although the triggers will not pose a threat to most individuals, the physician explained they can occasionally set off a dangerous sequence of events culminating in stroke.
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The neurologist advises against using massage guns on the front and sides of the neck
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His advice centres on protecting the delicate blood vessels that supply oxygen to the brain. The first habit Dr Chen warns against is using massage guns on the neck area.
Despite gaining popularity for easing muscular tension, the neurologist recommends keeping them well away from the front and sides of one's neck.
This region contains the carotid arteries along the sides and vertebral arteries at the rear, both essential for delivering oxygenated blood to the brain.
Forceful, rapid pressure applied to this sensitive zone can harm the arterial lining, potentially causing a dissection - a small tear within the vessel wall.
Should a tear occur, the body responds by forming a clot, which may dislodge and travel to the brain, triggering a stroke.
Dr Chen recommends gentle stretching, warm compresses or light manual massage as safer alternatives.
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The second habit concerns prolonged neck hyperextension - tilting one's head far backwards for sustained periods. This positioning commonly occurs during salon hair washes, ceiling painting or gazing upward at screens.
Brief stretches present little concern, but maintaining this posture compresses the vertebral arteries as they pass through the small bony openings in the neck vertebrae.
This kinking effect can restrict cerebral blood flow, causing dizziness or visual disturbances in some individuals, and in certain cases, stroke.
Dr Chen suggests maintaining a neutral spinal position where possible, taking regular breaks during overhead tasks, and using a rolled towel for neck support when reclining at the hairdresser.
Squeezing spots can introduce harmful bacteria into the bloodstream
|TIKTOK
The third habit involves squeezing spots within the so-called "triangle of death" - a genuine anatomical term describing the zone from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth.
Veins beneath this facial region connect to deeper cranial vessels draining into the cavernous sinus, a cavity situated beneath the brain behind the eye sockets.
Bursting a blemish here risks introducing bacteria into the bloodstream, which can travel backwards into this sinus.
Severe infection may prompt clot formation, potentially blocking blood flow and causing neurological complications or stroke. Alhough modern antibiotics have made such outcomes highly uncommon, Dr Chen maintains the risk persists.
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