Portsmouth woman raising awareness of stroke risks in younger people
New research is showing one in four strokes happen to those of working age
A Portsmouth woman who had multiple strokes when she was just 34 is urging us to realise the risks don't just face those who are older.
New research is showing one in four strokes happen to those of working age.
Jasmine Jackson had her third stroke eight months ago, and wants to see more people aware of the risks.
She said: "The first thing I came out with when I did talk was 'am I going to die'? I think that was just an instant reaction, and I think it is for everyone because it's a very big shock.
"I could not process it there and then, and I don't think anyone does.
"The fact that my grandad was there who means the absolute world to me, he's my rock, and to see his face?
"I just couldn't look at him and he couldn't process it, no one could process it.
"Even though it's me that's going through it, I think as a family, no one takes it on there and then, it's a very big shock to everyone and yourself."
Jasmine then had a multitude of blood tests to try and find the cause, and it's still uncertain.
She's urging anyone who may be worried about a stroke to go and get checked by a doctor.
She said: "As a young stroke survivor, I would love to raise more awareness as much as I can as well as other survivors."
In the UK, someone has a stroke every five minutes, with 1.4 million people currently living with a brain injury caused by stroke.
The F.A.S.T acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify the three most common signs of stroke.
· Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
· Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms fully and keep them there?
· Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?
· Time to call 999: if you see any one of these signs.
Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: “A stroke is a devastating brain injury, leaving behind life-changing trauma. In an instant, a stroke can steal away the things that many of us take for granted, such as walking, talking, eating and living independently; the things that make you, you.
"This new research shows that people still don’t understand a stroke happens in the brain and wrongly believe a stroke only affects older people.
"A stroke isn't only a medical emergency from which you either die or survive, but instead the start of a long and gruelling journey to rebuilding a life.
"For so many stroke survivors, the fight doesn’t end when their lives are saved, yet every day survivors and their families are left traumatised and without the long-term rehabilitation and support they need.
"After everything a stroke takes, no-one should have to fight for essential support to recover and live a full life again.”