Footballer who suffered stroke in her 30s urges Irish public to know warning signs

A four-time All Ireland winning footballer is encouraging the Irish public to be aware of the signs of stroke after suffering one in her thirties. 

Former Dublin star and accountant Siobhán McGrath (35) revealed how she thought she was suffering from the after-effects of a tough training session when signs of stroke first appeared. 

The half-back described how she woke up feeling confused, with simple tasks such as putting on a t-shirt, opening a window and sending an e-mail more complicated than usual. 

Recalling the horrific morning in June last year, Siobhán, who lifted the Brendan Martin Cup with Dublin in 2010, 2018, 2019, and 2020, said she knew something wasn’t right when her house alarm sounded and she struggled to switch it off.

She said, “In my mind, I knew what the correct code was, but it was as if my body wouldn’t let me enter it into the keypad. 

“I remembered the F.A.S.T. TV adverts informing people about the signs of stroke. I looked in the mirror and my face wasn’t drooping on one side.

“I tried to tell myself, ‘you’re not having a stroke’, but the words didn’t come. 

“I started to speak, but simple sentences sounded like double Dutch.

“It was at that moment that I decided to phone my mum – but it took a few attempts before she could understand what I was trying to say.”

An ‘Act F.A.S.T. – Minutes Matter’ campaign by the Irish Heart Foundation is highlighting stroke’s key warning signs.

These include Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Slurred speech and the crucial importance of Time to get medical help if any of these signs are apparent. 

According to Irish Heart Foundation research, the percentage of people who recognise the signs of one of Ireland’s biggest killers is declining, with just one in 10 knowing what all four letters stand for. 

Stroke kills two million brain cells every minute, so the quicker patients get medical help the more that can be saved. 

Following an MRI and a series of tests, Siobhan’s stroke was confirmed and she spent a week in Tallaght Hospital. 

She is now an ambassador for the charity, has returned to work and is back playing for her club, Thomas Davis in Tallaght.

Aside from some problems with vocabulary, she feels she has made a full recovery.

She said, “Thanks to the F.A.S.T. message, I knew I needed to get help. 

“If you recognise any one of the signs, get medical help immediately. 

“No one is invincible. I’m lucky that I had my family and boyfriend minding me.”

The HSE’s National Clinical Lead for Stroke, Professor Rónán Collins, said stroke is a leading cause of death and disability.

He said, “Nothing is more likely to suddenly change your life completely, or end it, as a stroke – but it doesn’t always have to be the case.”

“We have made great strides in improved diagnosis, treatment and cure and in restoring people to fuller lives after stroke. 

“But the faster we recognise and seek treatment, the greater the chance of a successful outcome. Know the common signs and symptoms of stroke and if you suspect stroke, act F.A.S.T. and call an ambulance immediately.” 

Learn more about stroke by clicking here.