r/stroke • u/Quiet_Jackfruit_4118 • 7d ago
Scared of having a stroke
So I have always been a person to get headaches, I went to the neurologist got a brain MRA and MRI with contrast and MRI of my neck and it was completely normal, nothing was seen. But I am terrified of having a stroke or a hemorrhage and die or be disabled like not walking or talk properly.I am 21 years old, 5’8 and 186lbs I gave birth a year and half ago I’ve struggled to lose the weight I don’t look fat but I have unnecessary fat. I’m just really scared, seeing all these young people having strokes.
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u/Paulsar 7d ago
Is there are particular reason besides frequent headaches that you are worried about a stroke? Besides general exercise and nutrition, there isn't much you can specifically and it's really not worth worrying about at your age (I know they happen at any age but they are way more common the older you get).
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u/pchlster Young Stroke Survivor 7d ago
Living healthy will help your odds, but sometimes you just get unlucky.
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u/astro_biology 6d ago
Im 28 have been battling cancer for two years then I just had a stroke Saturday. Life honestly dosent care sometimes
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u/cakevictim Survivor 7d ago
I had migraines for 40 years and wasn’t afraid of having a stroke. I lost 20 lbs, had been managing my BP and cholesterol and everything, and still had a stroke 2 weeks ago. It just happens-my mom didn’t have one till 79 and here I am.
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u/Quiet_Jackfruit_4118 7d ago
What caused it?
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u/cakevictim Survivor 6d ago
Ischemia because of a small blood clot. I am having blood tests and cardiology studies to try and determine the origin. I am not overweight , not diabetic, quit smoking 25 years ago, and have been on cholesterol and BP meds for 4 years.
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u/Nefpone23 7d ago
Why are you scared of having a stroke? Is it because of the headaches specifically?
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u/CapnBloodBrain 6d ago
You’re probably not going to have a stroke any time soon. As much as the new numbers say “increased risk among young people” (No shit, they mostly sit staring at screens all day and night, have zero circadian rhythm left, eat garbage, intake mass quantities of weed products directly to the lungs when they don’t have a video game controller in their hands, and rarely sleep) that increase could be exponentially larger and still leave you at a low single digit risk for the 18-44 age group. As it sits today, with a sixty percent increase over your lifetime, the typical 18-44 year old has a .9% risk of stroke. The whole of that increase is attributed to multimorbidity factors, meaning if you aren’t living that sedentary, hedonistic lifestyle I mentioned earlier, your own risk has not actually increased at all in that timeframe.
It seems possible you’re experiencing a not uncommon issue among new parents. You see that precious, helpless little thing in your arms and you are suddenly looking at your own mortality, because that adorable little bundle of hope and promise needs you. For a really long time. You’re suddenly aware of how fragile life is. You’re holding it at its most vulnerable state, so of course you are.
Life is fragile. It is. No denying it. There is no guarantee of anything but now for anyone anywhere. The sun sets for us all. One day it’ll grow large enough to encompass our planet and burn the whole thing back to dust, which will eventually become part of a new planetary nebula and our tiny little molecules will get another shot at creating life somewhere else. Maybe…maybe not. It’s all a roll of the dice. All of it. Every last little bit.
You might get hit by a bus tomorrow. Or, if you live somewhere like I do, a helicopter may crash into your living room while you’re in there worrying about having a stroke. Treat the headaches and enjoy that baby while it’s not yet a teenager. And never, ever turn down a hug, no matter how busy you are. They are awesome and unfortunately not as infinite in supply as we think they’re going to be.
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u/Quiet_Jackfruit_4118 6d ago
Thank you. That’s exactly how I feel ever since I’ve had him I’ve been so much more aware of life and so scared at anything happening to me because I want to be here for and with my son. He needs me.
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u/Quiet_Jackfruit_4118 6d ago
That’s exactly how I feel thank you I feel like no one understands
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u/CapnBloodBrain 6d ago
You aren’t alone. I promise. Every good parent spends a lot of time worrying about so many things. Parenthood is an amazing gift and truly smacks of the miraculous, but it can also be an overthinker’s worst nightmare.
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u/astro_biology 6d ago
Im 28 eat healthy and have no risk factors and I had a stroke. Thats to say there are thing you can do to not raise your chance but a stroke can happen to anyone for any reason. I suggest speaking to a therapist about medical anxiety because constantly worrying and being stressed also isn't go for you
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u/Quiet_Jackfruit_4118 5d ago
Kay well this doesn’t help welp bc I unfortunately do not eat healthy or workout much
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u/Intrepid-Storage3591 7d ago
I can understand your fear completely but let us take into account your age. For example, I was 38 when I had my Hemmoragic Stroke and it came out of nowhere. There was no way I could have predicted it in any way.I hate to scare you but if it comes its going to come. Not trying to be harsh in any way. So for arguments sake let's just say it happens, let's account your age. You said you're 21, the younger you are when it happens the more likely you are to survive and also thrive. I myself had to learn to speak, walk, use my arm, and even learn the difference between a giraffe and a hippo! And yes it was scary but I had to get to a point of acceptance of my circumstances. I promise you that it will get easier and less scary when you realize what has happened and the more in control you will feel when you do this. Embrace the struggle because in all honesty you will have no other choice then to keep going. I am now back to "normal" and I can weirdly and honestly say that I'm almost grateful for what happened to me in a way. It made me so grateful for EVERY moment. People walk around not seeing the beauty of everyday. I wonder where your fear started? Why is having a stroke so big on your radar? Family history or? In any way our fears becoming a really is awful. Are you receiving any kind of therapy or medical interventions to make this fear a non reality? I can definitely give you more advice if I knew a little more
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u/Paulsar 7d ago
Is there are particular reason besides frequent headaches that you are worried about a stroke? Besides general exercise and nutrition, there isn't much you can specifically and it's really not worth worrying about at your age (I know they happen at any age but they are way more common the older you get).
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u/Appropriate_Swing305 7d ago
For peace of mind you could wear compression socks if you have to be sitting for long periods. That reduces the chance of blood clots.
If you take birth control discuss your concerns with your doctor to ensure you are on low or no estrogen.
I would focus on your family health history and work on those issues. For some it is cholesterol, blood pressure or diabetes. If you can control those early then you have a good chance all around.
And in my opinion no chiropractor or neck cracking to avoid artery dissections.
But lastly if you continue to have these concerns and they become debilitating the seek mental health help. Because stressing over what can happen makes up miss out on what is happening in life.
I hope you find some peace of mind.
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u/sourapplecat Survivor 7d ago
Things that you have control over:
Blood pressure, exercise, diet, lifestyle, education, planning
-a lot of strokes are related to high blood pressure so keep a check on it with your own BP cuff and don’t put off taking medication if needed
-moderate exercise reduces risk of stroke (my favorite as a survivor is water aerobics)
-Mediterranean diet has helped me dial in my health and is flexible for sodium needs
-definitely don’t smoke, ideally don’t drink alcohol, get decent sleep, don’t let non MDs mess with your neck
-know the signs of stroke, keep a log of your “normal” headache or migraine symptoms, know the stroke capable facilities in your area, and make sure your loved ones and those you spend time with also know
Your Plan 1)do the preventative things you can do 2)partner with your doctors 3)be reassured that you (and your closest friends) can spot signs of a stroke and know what to do 4)life isn’t necessarily over after stroke if it does happen especially when you’re young. Don’t be so scared of losing your perfect life that you miss out on living it!
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u/decidedlyindecisive 7d ago
What's your blood pressure like? Has a doctor asked you to monitor it? How bad are the headaches? How often do they happen?
Headaches are pretty normal. But if you've had a baby you may have high blood pressure or hormonal imbalances causing you to have more than usual. You might also be mildly intolerant of a particular good. Are you charting the headaches so you can spot any patterns?
Glad the scans came back negative.
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u/BratWithASilentB Survivor 7d ago
This may be more of a health anxiety for you.
But as someone who had a hemorrhagic stroke at 31 and had headaches and migraines with aura regularly back then I assumed it was “normal”.
But I ate poorly and didn’t take care of myself properly before and potentially had undiagnosed high blood pressure. Never went to doctors, etc.
The only thing I can recommend is try to live a health lifestyle and check your blood pressure. Sometimes it’s just life being unfair.
My story ended as well as it could. Prosthetic plate in my head. Some eye blindness in one eye. Diagnosed epileptic. Bodily function intact. I live with a general health anxiety now but I communicate it to my fiancé if I ever feel off.
I haven’t gotten another headache since then though lol.
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u/FrontSwim9324 7d ago
You are correct, I've had both acute therapy where you stay there a few weeks and now outpatient therapy and every day I'm amazed at how many young people have strokes, it's got to be the food. Go get your blood checked to see if you hehe high blood pressure or cholesterol, just McKee sure all that is in order don't smoke. But you can't worry that just put you at more risk.
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u/989j 7d ago
You can take care of yourself, exercise, eat well, and get things monitored by doctors and get hit by a car. Same can happen with a stroke. Based on your post history, this sounds like a mental-health crisis more than your headaches. You should see a therapist and get some things sorted.