In a shocking medical incident from Taiwan, a young woman in her early 20s was suddenly rushed to the hospital after collapsing during an intimate moment with her boyfriend. The reason? A seemingly harmless hickey—a kiss mark—delivered with excessive force in a dangerous location: right over the carotid artery on her neck. What started as an affectionate gesture turned into a medical emergency, resulting in a stroke and partial paralysis on the left side of her body.

The incident was publicly shared by Dr. Chen Ying-Jian, a well-known surgeon in Taiwan, during a segment of the popular medical talk show Doctors Tell the Truth. According to Dr. Chen, the young woman was brought to the emergency department with signs of neurological impairment and a visible bruise on her neck. She had also suffered a fall resulting in a head injury, but it was the sudden onset of hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body) that raised immediate red flags.

The Medical Findings

After conducting a CT scan and neurological assessments, doctors diagnosed her with an ischemic stroke—a condition in which a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain, cutting off its blood supply. Surprisingly, the doctors found that the blood clot had likely formed as a result of the hickey.

A follow-up ultrasound scan revealed that the woman had plaque build-up in her carotid artery. Dr. Chen explained that the boyfriend’s forceful suction while creating the hickey may have dislodged the plaque, causing it to break off and travel to the brain, where it blocked a smaller vessel, ultimately leading to a stroke.

Why Is This So Dangerous?

The carotid arteries are major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain, neck, and face. Any trauma to this area—even seemingly minor—can have life-threatening consequences, especially for individuals who already have undiagnosed vascular conditions such as atherosclerosis (artery hardening due to plaque buildup).

While hickeys are often seen as a symbol of passion or youth, applying strong suction near a major artery is extremely risky. In this case, it not only caused neurological damage but could have been fatal had the blockage been more severe or left untreated.

Warning to Young Couples

Dr. Chen issued a strong warning to the public: "Avoid giving hickeys or applying pressure to major arteries like those in the neck." He added that most people are unaware they might have pre-existing vascular conditions, especially at a young age, and that physical trauma—even from kissing—can lead to devastating outcomes when performed recklessly.

He emphasized the importance of awareness and caution during intimate acts, especially when they involve sensitive parts of the body like the neck. In the age of increasing sexual expression and experimentation, he urges couples to prioritize health and safety just as much as affection and emotional connection.

Broader Implications for Stroke Awareness

This case has also served as a wake-up call to the medical community and public about the unusual but real risks of stroke in young people. While strokes are commonly associated with the elderly, an increasing number of cases are being reported among younger populations, often triggered by stress, genetics, lifestyle, or undiagnosed medical issues.

The case also highlights the need for better education around stroke symptoms—such as sudden weakness, facial drooping, confusion, or loss of balance—and the importance of seeking immediate medical help when they occur.

Conclusion

This bizarre but true medical case underscores a critical message: not all acts of affection are harmless. What might appear as a playful hickey could lead to a serious or even life-threatening condition if done incorrectly or without understanding the risks.

Let this be a reminder to practice mindfulness in intimacy, be aware of your body and health, and never underestimate the power of a single action.