Dad 'owes life' to quick thinking wife who spotted vital signs

Archie Strachan was saved by his partner Karen when he suffered a stroke at home in Bishopton.

The 65-year-old was in bed when he suddenly dropped his coffee, as his arm became weak, and he struggled to speak while his face had dropped.

Karen, a long-time A&E nurse, spotted the symptoms and knew time was crucial as she had to get her husband to hospital as possible.

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Fortunately, he was able to be seen quickly at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Now he has made a strong recovery but still feels the “hangover” from the stroke.

Archie explained: “I know how lucky I am to have made the recovery I have.

"I saw other people in the stroke ward and know things could have been different.

"I owe everything to Karen for how quickly she reacted and for the brilliant nurses and doctors who did so much for me.

“Physically, I am feeling no ill-effects, but psychologically there’s a hangover. I still replay what happened every time I make a cup of coffee in the morning or I’m driving to see students – I can’t help thinking about what might have happened if I’d been behind the wheel when I had the stroke rather than in my own bed.

“But I am getting there. And I’m just glad to still be here.”

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service have now launched a new F.A.S.T. campaign at Glasgow Central Station. (Image: Sourced)

Archie had the stroke in September 2022 when Karen called 999 and the emergency operator talked her through the F.A.S.T. test.

F.A.S.T. is a mnemonic that stands for F – Face A – Arm S – Speech T – Time. 

It illustrates three of the common signs of stroke and highlights the importance of acting quickly to call emergency services.  

Catching these signs got Archie help quickly, with a vital scan at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital confirming he had had a stroke.

Then within an hour of the stroke, doctors had administered clot-busting drugs known as thrombolysis which aims to dissolve the blood clot that had caused it.

Archie has now returned to his role as a visiting lecturer in social care with the charity Quarriers.

He and Karen are also doing the legendary 95-mile hike in weekly sections, and he intends to complete the hike again next year, this time raising vital funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service have now launched a new F.A.S.T. campaign at Glasgow Central Station, to highlight awareness of stroke signs and symptoms and encourage fast action when contacting emergency services.  

According to local health board data, 2,526 people in Greater Glasgow and Clyde had a stroke last year.

YouGov polling commissioned by the charity revealed that 39% of adults in Scotland were not familiar with F.A.S.T.

This number rises significantly for younger adults aged 18 to 24 as more than half were not familiar with F.A.S.T.

The public awareness campaign is aimed at increasing the correct identification of stroke symptoms and assessment for hyperacute stroke treatments for those who require them.