Colleague saves Dublin father from stroke after noticing jumbled speech on work call
When a Dublin father experienced an ischemic stroke while working from home in April 2022, his life was saved because a work colleague recognized he was speaking “complete gibberish” on a phone call. Kieran O’Carroll, who lives in Co Cavan and works in a senior role with Fleetwood Paints, had no idea anything was wrong while his words became completely jumbled during the conversation.
Whatever I said was complete gibberish,
Mr O’Carroll said. I thought I was replying normally, but it was not coherent at all. She later told me that I sounded giddy, almost like a cross between being confused and intoxicated.
Ten-minute rescue leads to rapid hospital admission in Cavan
Recognizing the sudden change in speech patterns, the alert colleague turned her car around, dialled Cavan General Hospital, and arrived at Mr O’Carroll’s home ten minutes later. Upon arrival, she noticed that one side of his face had drooped, prompting her to drive him straight to the emergency department at Cavan General Hospital. Medical investigations later revealed the stroke was caused by a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart that failed to close naturally after birth, which caused a blockage in his middle cerebral artery and cut off blood supply to his brain.
Mr O’Carroll spent ten days in Cavan General Hospital before beginning an intensive rehabilitation program. His treatment continued with occupational and speech therapy at the Mater Hospital, followed by further specialized care at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. His recovery was complicated by chronic neuro-fatigue and brain fog.
Irish Heart Foundation highlights FAST acronym ahead of World Stroke Day
Marking World Stroke Day, the Irish Heart Foundation is urging the public to memorize the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech and Time) acronym to identify stroke symptoms quickly. Dr Rachael Doyle, a consultant physician and geriatrician and chair of the Irish Heart Foundation’s Stroke Council, emphasized that every minute counts when limiting the damage that stroke causes.
Recognising the signs and calling 112 or 999 immediately are important steps as every minute counts,
Dr Doyle said. Kieran’s experience also highlights how aftercare and support is essential following a serious medical event like stroke.
Heart procedure and ongoing support for young stroke survivors
Following his acute medical treatment, Mr O’Carroll underwent a heart procedure to repair the opening in his heart chambers. To aid his ongoing recovery, he completed the Irish Heart Foundation’s Fatigue Management Course, receives weekly calls from a peer-support volunteer, and actively participates in the charity’s Young Stroke Survivors’ Network for individuals under the age of 65.
I wasn’t prepared to lose my independence,
Mr O’Carroll said. My three children were my focus that day. I didn’t want my relationship with them to end with me unable to fulfil my responsibilities as a father.
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