A MAN who suffered a near-fatal stroke is warning others to be aware of the “silent killer” which causes the medical condition.

Keith Laundon, of Woodingdean, suffered a stroke last year caused by Atrial Fibrillation (AF) - an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots in the heart, which travel to the brain and cause a blockage.

The 74-year-old is now calling for greater awareness of AF – a condition 4,125 people are known to have in Brighton and Hove alone.

Keith was at home with his wife Angela when she spotted him behaving strangely, before realising he was having a stroke.

“My arm was going up in the air, swinging, coming down and doing all sorts of things,” he said. “My wife took one look at me and said, ‘darling I think you’ve had a stroke’.

“She asked me to smile. I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t squeeze her arm.”

The Argus: Keith Laundon, of Woodingdean, and wife Angela Keith Laundon, of Woodingdean, and wife Angela

An ambulance transported Keith to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where he spent three days recovering.

“I believe I have been very fortunate to get such fast, urgent treatment from the doctors and nursing staff, with the clot busting drug being administered so promptly,” he said.

Keith highlighted the importance of following the FAST stroke warning signs system - Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

“My wife recognised this, and it led to a rapid response, enabling a full recovery after three days thanks to the dedicated hospital staff,” he added.

“Two weeks later I saw my GP for a follow up after stroke. I had various tests including an ECG in the surgery. The ECG showed I was in AF. After the consultant saw the ECG results, he recommended an urgent Ablation procedure.”

Ablation is a surgical procedure using small burns or freezes to cause scarring on the inside of the heart to help break up the electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats and help the heart maintain a normal heart rhythm.

The retired shopfitting manager at Greggs has a number of post stroke symptoms including fatigue, anxiety and difficulty with feeling.

But he said he feels lucky compared to many stroke survivors.

The stroke stopped me in my tracks,” he said.

“If anyone is having palpitations, I would tell them to go to their GP and ask for an ECG at least over a seven day period, not a 24 hour.”

Keith’s son Matthew, 49, was diagnosed with AF two years ago after being admitted to intensive care with a heart rate of 180-200 beats a minute.

“You have to be aware that It isn’t just the elderly;  it could affect anybody. That’s important,” Keith added.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, the Stroke Association chief executive, said: “Pre-pandemic, diagnosis rates of high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation were already low.

“Heart health affects brain health. So, we are urging you to act now and make sure your heart is healthy by getting checked for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation. Don’t let the first sign of high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation be a life-changing stroke.”