A top brain specialist has warned that three common daily habits could significantly increase your risk of a stroke. Dr. Baibing Chen, a board-certified neurologist and epileptologist, has treated numerous patients who inadvertently endangered their health through routine lifestyle choices. He now urges people to follow his strict personal guidelines to keep themselves safe.
Yoga Poses Can Trigger Artery Tears
Dr. Chen, who shares educational videos online under the name Dr. Bing, explained that one of the first activities to avoid is certain yoga poses. He stated: "I've seen strokes happen this way." While acknowledging that yoga overall is fantastic for health, he warned that poses forcing the neck into extreme hyperextension or hyperflexion can be risky. In rare cases, these can lead to dissection—a tear in the vessel wall—which can cause a stroke. Dr. Chen advises staying mindful of neck position and avoiding extreme strain during yoga.
Heavy Lifting with Breath-Holding Spikes Blood Pressure
Regarding exercise, Dr. Chen cautioned against performing one-rep max lifts or lifting heavy weights while holding the breath. He explained: "This is what we call a heavy lift stroke – where people lift heavy weights while holding their breath and perform a Valsalva manoeuvre. This can spike systolic blood pressure to extreme levels – sometimes over 400 – and that is a massive surge of force on the blood vessels in the brain. I have seen this trigger brain bleeds." He recommends safer strength-building methods with controlled breathing, exhaling during exertion, and using submaximal weights with higher reps.
Energy Drinks Overload the System
Dr. Chen also avoids energy drinks, stating: "I personally stick to simple coffee in the morning, because many energy drinks pack very high caffeine content, sometimes pushing or exceeding the recommended daily limit for most adults. Then you add other stimulants like guarana – which is another source of caffeine – and taurine, which can amplify effects. This combination can disrupt how blood vessels regulate themselves and can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythms. Irregular rhythms can form clots, and those clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke." He noted that he has also witnessed nerve damage resulting from excessive levels of vitamin B found in energy drinks.
Expert Background and Advice
Dr. Chen is a board-certified neurologist and epileptologist who completed his medical degree at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, his residency at the Mayo Clinic, and an epilepsy fellowship at the University of Michigan. He urges people to make small changes to protect their brain health, emphasizing that awareness of these risks can go a long way in preventing strokes.
