DESPERATE Scousewives star Amanda Harrington today thanked the medics who helped save her nans life after she suffered a severe stroke.
Amanda, 30, also encouraged people to make sure they are aware of the symptoms after Margaret Baldwin received treatment in the Stroke Unit at Aintree University Hospital.
The former ECHO columnist said: I knew a little bit about strokes after seeing ads on telly, but I didnt realise just how quickly you needed to respond to the symptoms.
My grandad Tony was quick thinking. This is the first stroke in our family, so its not something weve dealt with before.
I was shocked when I read about what can happen if you dont get the treatment straight away.
Mrs Baldwin, 75, was at home in Aintree when she collapsed on to the floor, causing a nearby lamp to fall down. The stroke was caused by an irregular heartbeat.
Model Amanda said: When my grandad heard the noise he rushed downstairs and found my nan on the floor. Her face had dropped, so he knew shed had a stroke and he called an ambulance.
It was this quick thinking that helped ensure Mrs Baldwin received life-saving thrombolysis treatment at Aintree University Hospital within an hour. It prevented a blood clot forming which could have caused permanent brain damage or proved fatal.
Dr Raj Kumar, clinical director of the Aintree Stroke Centre, said: Margarets stroke was severe, with complete paralysis down one side and loss of all speech. The death rate for a stroke like that left untreated is 60% to 70%.
Without a crucial early brain scan and an injection of clot-busting Alteplase she might not have been here today.
Originally posted here:
University and College News: Desperate Scousewives star Amanda Harrington thanks medics who saved nan