What a Hickey Can Do to Your Health—The Stroke Risk You Didn’t Know About

Leaving a kiss mark on a loved one could lead to a life-threatening situation.

Last month, Health Chosun reported the story of a 44-year-old woman living in New Zealand.

She had to be rushed to the hospital after receiving a hickey from her partner.

A hickey, or love bite, is typically created by forcefully sucking on the skin, often on areas like the neck or earlobe.

The woman was unable to move her left arm, and the diagnosis was alarming: she had suffered a stroke.

The doctor explained that when her husband left the hickey on her neck, he inadvertently stimulated the area where the carotid artery runs. This caused a blood clot, which ultimately led to the stroke.

Fortunately, the woman received treatment and has since recovered.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, damaging part of the brain tissue. It can happen suddenly and be life-threatening. Any blood vessel can be affected, from the carotid artery in the neck and the vertebrobasilar arteries to the tiniest arteries within the brain. When this happens, the brain area supplied by the vessel becomes necrotic, leaving lasting symptoms.

Strokes often occur around 2 to 3 a.m., when blood pressure is at its lowest during sleep, and are frequently discovered in the morning. Blood circulation slows as blood pressure drops overnight, potentially leading to clot formation. These clots can then block cerebral blood vessels, causing a stroke.

The carotid artery is a major blood vessel in the neck that connects the heart to the brain. It carries 80% of the blood flow to the brain, making it crucial for brain function. If a blood clot blocks the carotid artery, it can result in a stroke. Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and blood clots. People with hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease, as well as smokers and heavy drinkers, are at higher risk. Obesity can also impair blood circulation and promote atherosclerosis.

A family history of these conditions increases the risk. While strokes often occur suddenly, recognizing the warning signs and acting quickly can help avoid a crisis. Warning signs include a noticeable weakening of grip strength, vision problems, sudden severe headaches, facial numbness, difficulty speaking, severe dizziness, and loss of balance.

Since the symptoms appear abruptly, the slightest suspicion warrants immediate hospital attention.