Woman Saves Colleague’s Life During WFH Stroke
Kieran O’Carroll, then 45, suffered an ischaemic stroke at home after his colleague noticed his speech was incoherent.
“Whatever I said was complete gibberish,” O’Carroll said. “I thought I was replying normally, but it was not coherent at all.” His colleague told him he sounded “giddy, almost like a cross between being confused and intoxicated.” She immediately turned her car around, contacted Cavan General Hospital, and drove to his home, where she observed his face drooping on one side before taking him to the emergency department.
The Irish Heart Foundation praised her actions ahead of World Stroke Day on October 29, highlighting the importance of recognizing signs quickly. They emphasized that millions of brain cells die within minutes of this condition, making rapid response critical. O’Carroll’s stroke resulted from a small opening between the upper chambers of his heart that failed to close after birth, blocking the middle cerebral artery.
He spent 10 days in Cavan General Hospital, followed by intensive occupational and speech therapy at the Mater Hospital and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. His recovery was complicated by chronic neuro-fatigue and brain fog. A heart procedure repaired the defect in his heart, and he joined the Irish Heart Foundation’s Young Stroke Survivors’ Network for ongoing support.
Dr. Rachael Doyle, a consultant physician and chair of the foundation’s Stroke Council, stated that swift action limits stroke damage. “Recognising the signs and calling 112 or 999 immediately are important steps as every minute counts,” she said. She added that post-stroke care and support services are vital for survivors and families.
He completed the Irish Heart Foundation’s Fatigue Management Course and received weekly peer-support calls.
Stroke awareness campaigns emphasize the F.A.S.T. acronym, face, arms, speech, time, to help identify symptoms early. These initiatives provide resources for survivors, families, and carers, available at irishheart.ie.
