A man who suffered a stroke at the age of 22 is campaigning for greater awareness of the symptoms.
Andrew Oliver suffered a stroke in his sleep, leaving him hospitalized for several months, but at first the Co Armagh native attributed his symptoms to fatigue.
A stroke can occur if blood supply to the brain is minimised or blocked altogether leading to brain damage or even death.
Just 18 months prior, Andrew was hospitalised for high blood pressure which has been identified as the biggest risk factor for stroke.
The now 28-year-old first found out he had high blood pressure by chance after a routine check-up with his GP, which led to a two-week hospital stay.
He said: “I didn’t even know high blood pressure could cause a stroke in young people. After attending a routine check-up with my doctor, I was shocked to find out that my blood pressure was twice the recommended levels.
“I had a two-week hospital stay where they helped treat the symptoms but not the cause, which I believe was the overwhelming stress and anxiety I was experiencing at that time.”
He is now urging more people to get their blood pressure checked out regularly “no matter what age they are”.
Statistics from the Stroke Association show that more than a third of people who have experience of stroke, don’t know that high blood pressure is the leading cause of the condition.
They also found that awareness levels are even lower amongst people who don’t have a connection to stroke, with 43% not knowing the link to high blood pressure.
Andrew’s stroke happened in his sleep, and he woke after Boxing Day in 2017 feeling groggy.
At first he put his symptoms down to fatigue and “it never clicked” he was having a stroke.
He said: “I thought I was just tired. After an hour or two, I still didn’t feel better. I was off balance, but it never clicked that it was a stroke.
“I rang my uncle who said I was slurring my words — he couldn’t understand me, but I knew what I was saying. That’s when it hit me — either I’m dreaming, or something is wrong.”
The Armagh man spent three months in two different hospitals but has gone on to embrace accountability while recovering with the mindset that “you get out what you put in.”
To help other young people affected by a stroke or brain injury, Andrew started ‘The Long Road Ahead’ blog to reassure people that recovery is possible.
Alasdair O’Hara, Northern Ireland director at the Stroke Association, said: “Around 4,000 people in NI have a stroke every year. Worryingly, this has been increasing over the last 20 years, particularly amongst people of working age.
“Stroke changes lives in an instant and can impact the ability to live physically and mentally well.
“We’re encouraging adults of any age to get their blood pressure checked on a regular basis to equip them with knowledge on whether they are at risk of stroke so they can take steps to reduce their chances, if required.”
While people of any age can have a stroke, it most likely affects those over the age of 65. Local GPs and associated pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks.