Neck Pain And Stroke: Is There A Link?

A stroke is a life-threatening and debilitating disease that affects a large number of people each year. It occurs when there is a blockage or bleeding in the brain due to interrupted blood flow. While neck pain is usually not a cause for concern, it can sometimes signal a severe underlying issue, such as a stroke. In rare cases, a tear in the neck artery, or cervical artery dissection, can lead to a stroke. This condition involves a tear in the lining of the main arteries carrying blood to the brain, causing blood clots that can block blood flow or break off and lodge in the brain. While cervical artery dissections are uncommon, affecting about 2-3 in 100,000 people annually, they are a significant cause of strokes in individuals under 50.

A tear in the neck artery can cause a stroke

A tear in the neck artery, or cervical artery dissection, is a rare but serious cause of stroke. It occurs when there is a tear in the lining of one of the blood vessels in the neck, known as the cervical arteries, which carry blood to the brain. This tear allows blood to leak between the layers of the artery wall, forming a clot that can block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. While it is uncommon, affecting only about two in 100,000 people per year, it is one of the most common causes of stroke in younger adults, particularly those under 50.

Cervical artery dissection can occur spontaneously or be triggered by an injury or sudden neck movement. Certain activities that involve extreme neck positions or rigorous neck movements can increase the risk of artery tears, such as whiplash, certain yoga poses, and even hair salon sink neck extensions. In addition, underlying inherited connective tissue disorders can make arteries more susceptible to tearing, and some people may have health conditions that weaken artery walls.

The neck pain associated with a cervical artery dissection is often unusual and persistent, accompanied by severe headaches. It may spread along the side of the neck and up towards the outer corner of the eye. If you experience such symptoms, especially in combination with stroke symptoms like dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, or unsteadiness while walking, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services.

While cervical artery dissection is a rare condition, it is important to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms associated with it. Knowing the warning signs of a stroke can help ensure prompt medical attention, which is crucial for effective treatment and recovery.

Cervical artery dissection is a rare cause of stroke

While neck pain usually does not signal a serious medical problem, it can sometimes be a symptom of a rare condition called cervical artery dissection, which affects about two in 100,000 people per year and is one of the most common causes of stroke in people under 50.

Cervical artery dissection occurs when there is a tear in the carotid or vertebral artery, which are two pairs of blood vessels in the neck that carry blood to the brain. This tear causes blood to leak between the layers of the artery wall and form a clot, which can then break off and lodge in an artery in the brain, resulting in a stroke.

Cervical artery dissection is more common in younger adults for two main reasons. Firstly, a small percentage of people have underlying inherited connective tissue disorders that make their arteries more likely to tear, and this is more likely to occur at a younger age. Secondly, younger adults are more likely to engage in exercise that involves neck movements that can precipitate a tear, such as strenuous weightlifting, head-flinging dance moves, and certain yoga positions.

There are several warning signs of a stroke that you should be aware of. These include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it is limited to one side of the body, trouble speaking or slurred speech, confusion or trouble understanding others, difficulty seeing with one or both eyes, trouble walking or maintaining balance or coordination, and a severe headache with no known cause. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

While cervical artery dissection is a rare cause of stroke, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and warning signs to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Stroke symptoms can develop hours to days after a dissection

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is restricted or when there is bleeding in the brain. A tear in one of the main arteries of the neck is a rare cause of stroke. This is known as a cervical artery dissection and it affects the carotid and vertebral arteries, which are collectively known as the cervical arteries. These arteries carry blood to the brain.

Cervical artery dissection is a flap-like tear of the inner lining of the artery wall. After the tear, blood enters the vessel wall and forms a blood clot. The blood clot can continue to grow until it is so large that it blocks blood flow to the brain, causing an ischemic stroke. Alternatively, pieces of the clot can break off and travel up to the bloodstream to the brain, also resulting in an ischemic stroke.

The onset of symptoms of a stroke following cervical artery dissection is often slow and can occur over hours to days. Symptoms of a stroke generally include a severe headache, weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking or slurred speech, confusion or trouble understanding others, and difficulty seeing with one or both eyes.

In the context of cervical artery dissection, stroke symptoms can include dizziness, double vision, jerky eye movements, unsteadiness while walking, and slurred speech. These symptoms may be accompanied by unusual, persistent neck pain that often spreads along the side of the neck and up toward the outer corner of the eye.

A chiropractor may trigger or worsen a tear

A tear in one of the main arteries of the neck is a rare cause of stroke. This is known as a cervical artery dissection and occurs in about two in 100,000 people per year, making it one of the most common causes of stroke in people under 50.

Cervical artery dissections are caused by a tear in the lining of one of the neck's blood vessels, which carry blood to the brain. This can be the carotid or vertebral arteries, known collectively as the cervical arteries. When a tear occurs, blood leaks between the layers of the artery wall and forms a clot, which may then block blood flow through the artery or break off and lodge in an artery in the brain, resulting in a stroke.

While cervical artery dissections are more common in younger adults due to underlying inherited connective tissue disorders that make their arteries more prone to tearing, they can also occur in older people. In fact, a study in the journal Neurology found that one in 14 people diagnosed with a cervical artery dissection was aged 60 or older.

Certain activities can increase the risk of cervical artery dissection, such as yoga, strenuous weightlifting, head-flinging dance moves, and even tipping your head back to wash your hair in a salon sink, known as "beauty parlor stroke syndrome." Additionally, whiplash sustained during a car accident or quick, thrusting neck movements used by some chiropractors and other healthcare professionals to treat neck pain, known as cervical manipulative therapy or "adjustment," can also potentially cause cervical artery dissection. However, it is unclear whether the neck therapy itself causes the tear or if the pain from an existing tear prompts people to seek out such treatment.

To reduce the risk of cervical artery dissection and subsequent stroke, it is important to be mindful of neck movements and avoid extreme positions that may put pressure on the neck. This includes certain yoga poses and positions that involve hyperextension of the neck, such as a shoulder stand. Additionally, it is recommended to seek alternative treatments for neck pain instead of cervical manipulative therapy, as the quick and thrusting neck movements involved in this type of therapy may potentially trigger or worsen a tear in the arteries of the neck, leading to a stroke.

A simple ultrasound can detect blockages in the carotid artery

While severe neck pain is not a direct cause of strokes, a tear in one of the main arteries of the neck is a rare cause of strokes. This is known as a cervical artery dissection, which occurs in about two in 100,000 people per year and is one of the most common causes of strokes in people under 50. The carotid and vertebral arteries, or the cervical arteries, are responsible for carrying blood to the brain. A tear in the lining of one of these vessels can cause a stroke.

A carotid ultrasound can be used to check for blood clots or plaque on the carotid artery walls. These plaque deposits can limit or eventually block the flow of blood to the brain, face, and neck, which can cause a stroke. Ultrasounds can also be used to check the position of a stent in the carotid artery after a procedure called carotid stenting. In addition, ultrasounds can be used as a preventive screening test for people with medical conditions that increase their risk of stroke, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

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