Former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain suffered mini-stroke
Former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain has revealed he suffered a mini-stroke earlier this year.
The actor, who played Tommy Duckworth and Justin Burton in the two soaps respectively, spoke to The Mirror about the ordeal, which took place in August.
“I woke up one morning and knew something wasn’t right,” he said. “My mum called me, and I just couldn’t get my words out.
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“I started walking round my house looking at things and I could think what the word was, like television or fridge, but I couldn’t say it.”
Upon the advice of his mother, Fountain, who also starred in Girlfriends, eventually called an ambulance, an experience he described as “scary”.
After saying he was “speaking like a toddler” to doctors, scans revealed he had suffered a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) after a blood clot had been found in his brain.
Recalling the moment his diagnosis was disclosed, Fountain said: “I just couldn’t believe it, there was a moment of sheer panic just fearing what it meant for the rest of my life.
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“The doctors said they saw some damage to the left-hand side of my brain which is where your cognitive abilities are controlled from.”
Further tests revealed that the actor has a hole in his heart which allowed the blood clot to travel to the brain. He will undergo surgery to prevent repeated occurrences.
Despite his terrible ordeal, the actor has found a new outlook on life, saying: “Going through something like this makes you realise just how fragile life is, it can really be snatched away from you at any moment.
“I feel like it’s the wake-up call I needed to live my life to the max and just not sweat the small stuff anymore.”
Stroke Association has further information and support on stroke. You can call their helpline on 0303 3033 100 or visit their website at www.stroke.org.uk. Readers in the US can contact the American Stroke Association.
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