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Rob Floyd, best known from Bar Rescue and his cocktail gigs on the celebrity circuit, recently shared something deeply personal with People magazine. His youngest daughter, Indigo, was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease at just 3 years old, after collapsing during a moment of play that no parent ever expects.

A stroke and a shocking diagnosis
In 2017, everything seemed perfect for the Floyd family. Then one afternoon, little Indigo collapsed in a kiddie pool. Suddenly, she couldn’t move the right side of her body. Panic set in. Tests and MRI scans revealed a devastating truth: she’d suffered a stroke and had stage 4 Moyamoya disease, a rare and progressive condition that leads to severe narrowing of the major arteries in the brain, impairing blood flow and dramatically increasing risks like stroke and seizures. Only about one in a million people in the US are affected.

According to US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Moyamoya is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder where certain arteries at the base of the brain become narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow and the development of fragile, tiny blood vessels as the body tries to compensate. The name “moyamoya” means “puff of smoke” in Japanese, describing the appearance of these tangled collateral vessels on brain imaging.

What are the symptoms?
Moyamoya can affect both children and adults, but the symptoms may be different depending on age. In children, this usually leads to strokes or mini-strokes (called TIAs) as the brain struggles to get enough blood. MayoClinic lists the common signs of the disease as:

Stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs, sometimes called “mini-strokes”)—these are often the first signs, especially in children.

Muscle weakness, numbness, or paralysis, usually on one side of the body.

Headaches and seizures.

Problems with vision, speech, or understanding others.

Cognitive or developmental delays in children.

Involuntary movements and issues with coordination.

Symptoms can be triggered by exercise, crying, coughing, or even a fever. Adults with moyamoya are more likely than children to experience hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain) due to rupture of these delicate collateral vessels.

In short, moyamoya is a serious disease involving narrowing brain arteries, leading to decreased blood flow, frequent strokes, and the brain’s attempt to adapt by forming fragile new vessels. Immediate medical evaluation is crucial for anyone with sudden weakness, speech issues, or any symptoms of stroke.