20-Year-Old’s Stroke linked to Common Heart Condition After Initial Symptom of Severe Headache
LONDON - A 20-year-old woman from England, Esther Littlewood, recently suffered a stroke after experiencing only an intense headache while at home, raising awareness about atypical stroke symptoms in young adults. Littlewood initially took paracetamol and rested, but was later found unconscious by her boyfriend and required hospitalization, including a medically induced coma.
The case highlights the potential for strokes to occur even in the absence of classic warning signs, and underscores a link to a common, often asymptomatic heart condition called patent foramen ovale (PFO). While PFO affects approximately 25% of adults, according to the British Heart Foundation, it rarely causes problems.However, in certain instances, it can allow blood clots to travel to the brain, triggering a stroke. This incident serves as a critical reminder that severe, unusual headaches should prompt immediate medical evaluation, even in young, healthy individuals.
Doctors determined Littlewood’s stroke was caused by a clot passing through a PFO – a small hole in the heart that should close after birth.she had been training daily in preparation for joining the police force and considered herself healthy prior to the incident.
“Before the episode,she trained daily to join the police and considered herself to have a healthy routine,” according to reports. Littlewood is now awaiting surgery to close the opening in her heart and is sharing her story to emphasize the importance of recognizing atypical stroke symptoms. She spent 12 days in the hospital recovering.
“Recognizing atypical signs can prevent tragedies,” Littlewood stated,urging others to seek prompt medical attention for any unusually severe headache,even if it’s the only symptom. Quick medical intervention can be crucial in mitigating the impact of a stroke.
