A stroke without common symptoms?! Kettering Man’s warning following a recent major stroke

Steve Thompson, 52, is warning the public that strokes don’t always show with common symptoms, following a sudden brain haemorrhage in October.

Avid runner Steve, who had his stroke during a 10k race, wasn’t displaying any typical symptoms of stroke such as slurred speech or problems lifting his arms. He is now going through intense rehabilitation to help him walk properly again.

During the second mile of his race with his club, Kettering Town Harriers, Steve began to notice his left leg was twitching. Thinking it was just a muscle spasm, he pressed on but soon had to stop and alert first aiders as his leg was shaking uncontrollably.

Naturally, marshalls and first aiders first on the scene thought it was a leg injury and didn’t suspect anything more sinister like a stroke as Steve had no obvious symptoms.

Steve said: “Everyone assumed it was just an injury but they were still very considerate. I sat down and my leg felt completely numb, I couldn’t stand up at all. First aiders did everything they could but some people were looking at me like I was faking it.”

Even paramedics weren’t able to provide a diagnosis when the ambulance arrived. However, CT scans later showed Steve had actually had a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain. He has since undergone a 5 week physiotherapy schedule to help his movement and is booked in with regular MRI scans to access the damage done to his brain.

Steve now wants others to know that haemorrhagic strokes can present without common symptoms and how vital it is that more people are aware of this type of stroke.

Steve said: “My stroke had none of the “normal symptoms” – I also had no pain, my leg was just violently shaking I remember, all I could say was it felt like it was in my brain. I think first responders, whoever is there, need to be aware of the 15% of people that are having a haemorrhagic stroke. They could be the only ones that are able to prevent someone dying from a stroke like this as acting quickly is vital.

“At present I’m responding well to therapy and feeling positive with the progress I’ve made. I feel very lucky that my stroke was quite mild but others might not be so lucky if they don’t recognise what is happening to them is actually a stroke.”

“The support from family and friends has been my salvation and rock to which I’m truly grateful for to carry me forward.”

Haemorrhagic strokes are generally more severe and are associated with a considerably higher risk of dying within the first three months. This is compared to Ischaemic strokes which are caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain and account for 85% of all strokes.

The Stroke Association advises to follow the F.A.S.T test to recognise signs of a stroke. Please visit https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/what-are-the-symptoms-of-stroke to find out more.

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