Diving into the Ice Bucket Challenge

Abstract

Triggered by facial exposure to cold water and apnea, the mammalian diving reflex consists of bradycardia and peripheral arteriolar vasoconstriction leading to an increase in central arterial pressure. It has been previously associated with ischemic stroke but not definitively with intracerebral hemorrhage. We present a case of intracerebral hemorrhage occurring in a woman with poorly controlled hypertension following her participation in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis fund-raising “Ice Bucket Challenge,” in which ice-cold water was poured on her head. We suspect that facial exposure to ice-cold water triggered the diving reflex, causing a hypertensive surge and ultimately the intracerebral hemorrhage.