Young Woman’s Stroke Sparks Awareness

Alex Wilson-Garza was having a conversation with her husband when she suddenly felt as though her face was ‘melting off.’ During their chat about their recent Brazilian jiu-jitsu class, she started slurring her words and stumbled. In a matter of seconds, the left side of her body weakened, rendering her unable to walk.

As her mouth drooped and the room began to spin, Wilson-Garza, now 28, recalled, “The only thing I remember was I was so dizzy.” Like many women across the U.S., she was experiencing a stroke, but she didn’t fit the typical patient profile.

Doctors are now cautioning that there are unforeseen triggers, including certain exercises and contraceptives used by millions, that can lead to strokes in younger individuals who lack traditional risk factors. Alarmingly, the number of cases is rising.

Despite the apparent symptoms, both Wilson-Garza—a nurse—and her husband Caleb were puzzled by what was happening. “My husband was trying to put on my shoes, insisting we go to the emergency room,” she said, reflecting on how unsure they were of the situation.

Reluctant to go at first, especially since the nearest emergency room was the one where she worked, she eventually agreed when she noticed her normally composed husband displaying fear.

Once at the hospital, her speech miraculously returned to normal, but the doctor quickly recognized something was amiss when she exhibited unsteady movements. He activated the hospital’s stroke protocol, which Wilson-Garza appreciated. “If I had gone somewhere else, I don’t think they would have understood that something was wrong,” she stated.

Brain scans revealed she had experienced a significant stroke in the right hemisphere of her brain due to blocked blood flow, which deprived the area of oxygen and killed off neurons at a startling rate.

Strokes, often labeled as silent killers, have for a long time been perceived as health emergencies primarily affecting older individuals with risk factors like hypertension, smoking, and obesity. However, a staggering 800,000 strokes occur each year in the U.S., with some 130,000 to 160,000 proving fatal.

While most strokes occur in adults over 65, with risk increasing as one ages, experts now fear that a new trend is emerging in younger demographics.

Wilson-Garza remarked, “I’ve always lived a healthy life—an athlete my whole life.” She participated in various sports, including basketball and jiu-jitsu, and had never dealt with medical issues before.

A recent CDC report found that strokes among those under 45 have surged by 15 percent since 2011, a significantly higher increase compared to older age groups, while the rate is declining among those over 65.

This growing trend seems puzzling. Many young patients, including Wilson-Garza, are active and fit but lack clear reasons for their strokes, which fall under the broader category of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Sanjay Rajagopalan noted, “We are witnessing a shift in the patterns of cardiovascular disease, with younger adults increasingly experiencing strokes and heart attacks absent traditional risk factors.” He suggested that while lifestyle factors like obesity remain essential, they are not sufficient to explain the rise.

Dr. Rab Nawaz Khan added that for young patients who appear healthy, strokes can stem from less evident causes. Notably, he highlighted that migraine auras—temporary visual disturbances—are significant indicators of stroke risk, particularly in younger women.

Migraine auras can double the chance of a stroke for women under 45 by constricting blood vessels in the brain and fostering blood clots. Women represent about 75 percent of migraine sufferers and also experience more strokes than men, a pattern that intensifies before age 35.

Rajagopalan explained that women have distinct risk factors for strokes that are often overlooked. Factors like hormonal contraceptives, hormone therapy, and complications from pregnancy can elevate long-term vascular risks.

After her stroke, physicians identified her birth control as the only possible risk factor. The estrogen content was noted to stimulate clotting protein production, heightening her blood clot risk.

Wilson-Garza has since transitioned to a different contraceptive option, switching to an IUD that contains no estrogen. Recognized as one of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Class of Survivors, she aims to raise awareness about strokes among young women.

Reflecting on her ordeal, she noted, “I’ve had colleagues tell me they now think twice about dismissing younger patients with stroke symptoms.” She hopes that her experience can influence how healthcare providers approach similar cases in the future.

In her recovery, Wilson-Garza returned to work just three weeks after her stroke and resumed jiu-jitsu two months later, crediting her active lifestyle for her quick rebound. Through a series of tests post-stroke, no underlying heart issues were detected, further emphasizing the unpredictable nature of her condition.