Kieran spent 10 days in hospital following the stroke, and he undertook an intensive programme of occupational and speech therapy as part of his recovery
Kieran O’Carroll has spoken of the importance of time in responding to stroke, which he suffered in April 2022, caused by a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart which failed to close naturally.
A father-of-three from Dublin said his life was saved by a work colleague when he suffered a stroke at home.
Kieran O’Carroll suffered an ischemic stroke in April 2022, caused by a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart which failed to close naturally after birth. Kieran, who works in a senior role with Fleetwood Paints, was on a phone call with his colleague when she realised something was seriously wrong.
She was driving at the time, and drove straight to his home after Cabra native Kieran began speaking “complete gibberish” on the call. “I thought I was replying normally, but it was not coherent at all” he said.
His colleague later told him that his voice sounded strangely giddy with jumbled up words. “I had no idea anything was wrong. Thankfully, she recognised immediately this was not normal.”
Kieran is now based in Cavan, and his colleague dialled Cavan General Hospital and arrived at his home ten minutes later. On arrival she noticed his face had dropped on one side, and drove him straight to the emergency department.
The Irish Heart Foundation is urging people to become familiar with the F.A.S.T. (face, arm, speech and time) acronym in identifying stroke, which can kill millions of brain cells in minutes.
Kieran’s stroke led to a blockage in the middle cerebral artery, cutting off blood supply to his brain.
“I wasn’t prepared to lose my independence,” he said. “My three children were my focus that day. I didn’t wany my relationship with them to end with me unable to fulfil my responsibilities as a father.” After ten days in Cavan hospital, he began an intensive programme of occupational and speech therapy in the Mater Hospital and from there went to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. His recovery was complicated by chronic neuro-fatigue and brain fog.
Kieran O’Carroll, pictured ahead of an Irish Life Dublin marathon, has spoken of the importance of time in responding to stroke, which he suffered in April 2022, caused by a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart which failed to close naturally.
Since the stroke, Kieran has had a heart procedure to repair the opening in his heart chambers. After completing the Irish Heart Foundation’s Fatigue Management Course, he received weekly calls from a peer-support volunteer and became a member of its Young Stroke Survivors’ Network, a support community for stroke survivors aged under 65. Consultant Physician and Geriatrician and Chair of the Irish Heart Foundation’s Stroke Council, Dr Rachael Doyle, said time is crucial in limiting the damage that stroke causes. “Recognising the signs and calling 112 or 999 immediately are important steps as every minute counts,” she said. “Kieran’s experience also highlights how aftercare and support is essential following a serious medical event like stroke. “The Irish Heart Foundation has support services for people living with stroke, their families and carers across the country. These and new events for World Stroke Day can be found on irishheart.ie.”
Recognise a stroke:
F = face – The face may have dropped on one side. The person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped. A = arms – The person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them raised because of weakness or numbness in one arm. S = speech – Their speech may be slurred or hard to understand. They may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them. T = time – If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s time to dial 112 or 999 for an ambulance. Even one symptom could mean a stroke.
World Stroke Day takes place on Thursday October 29, 2026.
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