Aubrey Plaza Recounts "Wild" Stroke Experience at Age 20

Aubrey Plaza has candidly shared the harrowing experience of suffering a sudden stroke at the young age of 20, leaving her briefly paralyzed and unable to speak. The incident occurred abruptly "mid-sentence," according to the actress, who has since opened up about the profound impact it had on her life.

During an appearance on Sirius XM's "Howard Stern Show," Aubrey Plaza courageously disclosed her experience with a stroke that struck unexpectedly at the tender age of 20. The incident left her briefly paralyzed and unable to speak, a profoundly disorienting event that she described as "wild."

Aubrey Plaza Recounts "Wild" Stroke Experience at Age 20

"I took the train to Astoria to have lunch with my friends, and I walked into their apartment—I hadn't even taken my jacket off—and it just happened," Plaza recounted on the radio show. "It was wild."

The sudden onset of symptoms paralyzed Plaza, though only for a brief period. "I was paralyzed, but only really for a minute or something. I lost my motor skills really briefly. The freakiest thing was I forgot how to talk," she said.

Aubrey Plaza Recounts "Wild" Stroke Experience at Age 20

Plaza's friends initially mistook her condition for a joke, given her penchant for pranks. "My friends actually thought I was kidding because I was always doing like weird jokes, and they were like, 'cut it out,'" she explained.

However, as the situation persisted, Plaza was transported to the hospital by paramedics who initially suspected drug use due to her youthful appearance. "The paramedics thought I had been on drugs since I was so young and the possibility of a stroke was not the first thing that crossed their minds," she said.

Aubrey Plaza Recounts "Wild" Stroke Experience at Age 20

The "Parks and Recreation" star endured a period of profound fear, questioning whether she would ever regain her ability to speak. "I couldn't speak. I had expressive aphasia for the next couple of days...I was terrified. I was like, 'What's happening? Am I ever going to be able to speak again?'"

In a subsequent interview on "The Late Show with David Letterman," Plaza shared that the cause of her stroke remained uncertain, with medical professionals offering various theories. Some attributed it to hormonal imbalances, while others suggested a possible link to her migraines.

"They didn't know exactly what caused it. Some people thought it was hormonal. Some people thought it was because I had really bad migraines. I always had really bad migraines," she explained.

Plaza's stroke experience also included ongoing "tiny little strokes" referred to as "transient ischemic attacks." These episodes further heightened her anxiety, leaving her questioning the future.

"They couldn't really tell me if I was going to be okay," Plaza said. "I was like, 'Am I going to have a stroke every week now? Am I going to die?'"

Despite the challenges she faced, Plaza remained resilient, embracing her experience as a catalyst for growth. "It's just given me a whole new perspective on life," she said. "It made me appreciate every day and to live every day to the fullest."

Plaza's candor about her stroke has resonated with individuals who have faced similar experiences. By sharing her story, she aims to raise awareness and provide support to others affected by strokes.