I was healthy when I had a stroke at 23 — my scary symptoms and what doctors think caused it

New York Post - May 12th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Ann Fulk, a young mental health therapist, experienced a life-altering stroke at the age of 24, despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This unexpected medical emergency occurred just two years after she survived a severe car accident that left her in a wheelchair for half a year. Initially reluctant to seek help, Ann was convinced by a friend to call emergency services when she became paralyzed on her left side. Diagnosed with a stroke caused by a blood clot on the right side of her brain, she opted for surgery, which was successful. Ann's recovery was supported by her strong mindset and her supportive network of family and friends.

Dr. Mohammad Anadani, a specialist in neuroendovascular services, suggested that oral contraceptives might have increased her stroke risk, and Ann's caffeine consumption could have contributed to other risk factors like hypertension. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact cause of her stroke, Ann is determined not to let medical challenges define her life. She has resumed her normal activities while managing her health risks and serves as an inspiration, advocating for a positive outlook and perseverance through adversity.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article effectively presents a compelling personal narrative that highlights the unexpected occurrence of a stroke in a young, healthy individual. Its strengths lie in its readability, engagement potential, and relevance to public health discussions. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and expert opinion adds depth, though the article would benefit from additional sources and data to enhance its accuracy and balance.

The story successfully raises awareness about the risk factors associated with strokes in young adults, particularly concerning lifestyle choices like caffeine consumption and oral contraceptive use. However, it could further explore these issues by incorporating more diverse perspectives and expert analyses.

Overall, the article provides valuable insights into a significant health issue, encouraging readers to reflect on their own health behaviors while remaining accessible and engaging. Its impact could be amplified by addressing the broader implications of the discussed health risks and offering more comprehensive evidence to support its claims.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a detailed account of Ann Fulk's medical history and her stroke, with specific claims about her past injuries, current health crisis, and potential causes. The narrative aligns with general medical knowledge about strokes, particularly regarding risk factors like oral contraceptive use and caffeine consumption. However, the story relies heavily on personal testimony and anecdotal evidence, which can introduce inaccuracies if not corroborated by medical records or expert confirmation. The article includes a quote from Dr. Mohammad Anadani, which adds credibility, but lacks multiple sources to confirm the diagnosis and treatment details.

The story accurately describes the symptoms and medical response to a stroke, such as paralysis and the role of blood clots, which are consistent with medical literature. However, the claim that the stroke might be linked to her past car accident or energy drink consumption needs further verification. These assertions are speculative without concrete medical evidence. Additionally, the timeline and sequence of events are clear, but the article could be strengthened by more precise medical documentation or expert analysis to support the claims fully.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents Ann Fulk's perspective, focusing on her personal experience and recovery journey. While this provides an in-depth look at her story, it may lead to a lack of balance by not including a wider range of viewpoints. The inclusion of Dr. Anadani's expert opinion offers some balance by providing a medical perspective, but additional voices from other medical professionals or experts in stroke research could enrich the narrative.

The story could benefit from a broader discussion on the prevalence of strokes in young adults, potentially comparing Ann's case to similar instances. Furthermore, the article might consider perspectives on the broader implications of stroke risk factors, such as the societal impact of energy drink consumption or birth control use. By incorporating these elements, the article would offer a more comprehensive view of the issue.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and easy to follow, with a clear narrative that guides the reader through Ann Fulk's experiences. The language is straightforward and accessible, making complex medical information understandable to a general audience. The chronological presentation of events helps maintain a logical flow, and the use of direct quotes from Ann adds a personal touch that enhances engagement.

However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of medical terms and procedures for readers unfamiliar with stroke-related terminology. Additionally, summarizing the key medical insights and potential risk factors at the end would reinforce the main points and aid reader comprehension.

5
Source quality

The story's main source is Ann Fulk, whose personal account provides a detailed narrative but lacks the objectivity and verification that multiple sources could offer. Dr. Mohammad Anadani's input adds some authority, as he is a medical professional, but the article would benefit from more diverse sources, such as additional medical experts, to corroborate the claims made.

The reliance on a single medical expert and the absence of medical documentation or peer-reviewed studies as references may affect the story's reliability. The article does not mention any potential conflicts of interest, which is crucial when discussing medical treatments and health risks. A stronger foundation of varied and authoritative sources would enhance the story's credibility.

6
Transparency

The article provides a transparent account of Ann Fulk's experience, detailing her symptoms, medical response, and personal reflections. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to verify the claims. The absence of medical records or direct quotes from healthcare providers who treated her limits the transparency of the medical aspects of the story.

The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as relationships between sources and the subject, which is important for maintaining impartiality. The inclusion of more background information on the sources and the process of gathering information would enhance the story's transparency. Additionally, clarifying the basis for the medical opinions presented, particularly concerning the stroke's potential causes, would improve the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJZfod8xk7k/
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5836581/
  3. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6v6XuFMZgc/
  4. https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213369
  5. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.str.0000106160.34316.19