Stroke at 24

[Duhren]

Hi.i had a stroke last january of this year and im still 24 years old.It all happened when i was at work i started to have a smoky vision and my eyes are really red so i was rushed to the hospital that night and had a bp of 140/100 which was a bit high.A day or two i started having severe headache and had a double vision then my doctors diagnosed me of cerebrovascular disease infarct right pons lacunar.My double vision lasted for 3 months but until now im still suffering of severe headache.doctors didnt know where my stroke started because all my tests are normal..can anyone help me.tnx

[ScalpMassager]

Well, the procedure suggestion from your doctor sounds reasonable enough (improved imaging to define a problem in your heart), likely expensive though, slightly risky but the benefits (proper diagnosis) likely substantially outweigh the small risk, which is probably why your doctor's suggesting it.  You could ask for a referral to another doctor for a second medical opinion (I'm a layperson).

Is there any other likely cause or trigger for your present severe headaches that you're overlooking?  Such as triggers that before your stroke led to the same symptom of severe headache are now being repeated?

Examples of typical triggers for severe headaches are:  high stress (emotional, glary lighting, improper eyewear), food sensitivities (such as chocolate), bad air (eg. carbon monoxide), chemical/solvent fumes.

[Duhren]

Yeah we sit on stool for the rest of our shift and another thing is that i really suffer from severe headache right now while working.Most especially at the end of the day,my dr. suggest me to undergo this procedure called transesophageal echocardiogram just to make sure and check if i have a hole in my heart called patent foramen ovale or pfo.In most cases this is associated with severe headache which im having right now,do you think this is the reason of my stroke?Im having second thoughts of doing this procedure.

[ScalpMassager]

I see at some banks, the tellers sit on stools.  Is that your bank's practice, or are you standing for most of your shift?

Is cardipres the correct spelling for that med?

You took a treadmill stress test wired up to an ECG, correct?  Did you obtain a copy of that?  The results would be useful information.

What is your usual resting blood pressure and pulse rate?  (most pharmacies have publicly accessible gadgets for measuring that)

Your BMI (ratio of height to weight) shows (like over 2/3rds of North Americans) that you're unhealthily overweight (26.4, healthy range is 18.5 - 24.9).  You may not have noticed because you've lots of company.

You've had a stroke, your first one.  You survived thankfully (one of the lucky ones for your age -- elderly people often survive several strokes, younger people not so lucky at all with their first one).  

What steps are you taking to avoid a recurrence?


My suggestions are:

- stress reduction (look at your lifestyle practices and see if you can trade over stimulation for calming activities)

- greatly improve the health of your cardiovascular system (your resting BP and pulse are fair indicators of your system's health)  I've several suggestions along those lines (largely focused on improved diet and some slow but sure weight loss tips, plus when it's safe to do so, start into an aerobic exercise program, likely walking building up to brisk walking eventually, but NOT before your doctor gives approval to that approach)

[Duhren]

Height is 5'4 and my weight is 70 kg waistline is i think 32 inches..yeah im a female and i definitely don't smoke.I'm a bank teller.All my tests were normal like MRI,ct scan,2decho,holter monitor and stress test but everything was ok so my doctors couldnt find the cause of my stroke..Im currently taking asprin and cardipres and another thing my cholesterol level is high..tnx much...

[ScalpMassager]

height / weight / waistline size?  you are female?  do you smoke tobacco?

What type of work were you doing?

Which if any prescription meds are you on, and at what doses?