Actor Pauline McLynn has spoken of how losing both her parents to stroke has pushed her to raise awareness about its warning signs.
The Father Ted star who plays the iconic role of Mrs Doyle, lost her mum Sheila, 86, last October - 17 years after a stroke also claimed the life of her 69-year-old father, Padraig. She said: "I expect it might be written in the stars somewhere for me and it’s simply because my parents have gone that way that I want to highlight it so that people are aware."
Paul, 60, is raising awareness about the Irish Heart Foundation’s "Act F.A.S.T. – Minutes Matter" campaign to drive greater awareness of stroke’s key warning signs: facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech - and the crucial importance of time. Speaking at Dublin Castle today, she said: "The F.A.S.T. message is simple and I’d like to think if my name is on one (stroke) that there will be someone close by who knows what to do.
Read more: 'I had a stroke and in an instant, my whole world was taken from me'
"It is just reminding people to think that way if they have any suspicions, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and time is one to remember." Shocking new data shows only 46% of stroke patients arrive at hospital within the recommended three-hour window even though quick action can mean the difference between recovery, permanent severe disability or death.
Recalling the sudden death of her father in 2005, the Phibsborough-based author said: "He was at work in Mayo having his lunch one day and had a massive stroke. He ended up in Castlebar Hospital and 10 days later, he died.
"His (brain) electrics went, but physically, he had a great rest and looked fabulous. He just had one of those devastating strokes from which there was no coming back. He would have been thrilled with that, he didn’t want to grow old and he didn’t like old people!"
She added: "Sadly, my mum, who had a number of other things wrong with her and was in Galway hospital (UHG), also had a massive stroke. But despite losing two parents to it, it doesn’t make me feel there’s no hope - the quicker someone can be treated, the better the prognosis.
"It’s amazing the amount of people who have had strokes - and a number of people I know survived them." Pauline, who was raised in Galway remembered her parents as "super, lively and mischievous".
She said: "I drifted into drama and acting and they never once took me to one side, they were very open-minded." Although despising New Year resolutions, she has promised herself a "full MOT" – also joining a gym near her Phibsboro home, where she enjoys aqua-aerobics several times a week.
She said: "I am starting to look after myself a little more, I’m a bit fitter now. One of the things I learned after becoming involved in the stroke campaign is that there is such hope, the quicker you deal with it, the better your chances of survival."
F.A.S.T. warning signs:
- FACE: Can the person smile or has their mouth or eye drooped
- ARM: Can the person raise both arms?
- SPEECH: Can they speak clearly and understand what you say?
- TIME: Call for an ambulance if you spot any one of these signs.
You can find out more on the Irish Heart Foundation’s website.
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