A man who initially dismissed his symptoms as being due to a “rough night’s sleep” was surprised to discover he had actually suffered a stroke, brought on by his £200-a-month smoking habit.
Adam Watkins, aged 42, found himself paralyzed on his left side and struggled to speak after an unexpected stroke at his residence last summer. Initially mistaking his slurred speech for intoxication, his partner Laura Milford realized the seriousness of the situation when his face drooped while smoking a cigarette, prompting them to rush to the hospital.
Adam had a mini stroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), and medical professionals attributed his health scare to his 25-year smoking habit and an inherited blood disorder.
Recalling the incident, the civil servant from Cardiff stated: “I woke up one Sunday morning with numbness in my left arm, thinking I had just slept awkwardly. But over the next hour or so, it worsened.”
“I was conversing with Laura, and she thought I was drunk due to my slurred speech. While we were outdoors smoking, I lost control of my left arm, dropping the cigarette. Laura noticed my drooping left facial side, prompting us to head to the hospital.”
Adam became addicted to smoking after merely “five to six cigarettes” at the age of 17. He explained: “I vividly remember the moment. I was underage in a nightclub when a girl asked for a cigarette. I bought some to impress her, and instantly felt the urge to continue for the next 25 years.”
Following a stroke four months ago, Adam was swiftly taken to the University Hospital of Wales. Reflecting on the experience, he said: “The medical staff quickly identified the stroke. Initially unsure how to react, the severity of a stroke and its potential consequences gradually sank in. Every healthcare professional I spoke to emphasized how young I was to have a stroke.”
Adam’s risk of stroke was already heightened due to his existing condition, polycythemia, which results in excessive red blood cell production.
“I used to think ‘it won’t happen to me,’ but it did,” he admitted. “Smoking is particularly risky with polycythemia since it thickens the blood, reducing oxygen distribution in the body. Smoking elevates carbon monoxide levels, leading to more red blood cell production, increasing the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.”
The TIA served as a wake-up call for Adam to quit smoking. With support from Help Me Quit, an NHS-funded smoking cessation service at his GP’s office, and Laura, who also quit, they overcame the addiction.
Since quitting smoking several months ago, Adam’s polycythemia has notably improved, with him expressing: “After stopping smoking, it felt like I gained an extra lung.”
Both Adam and Laura encourage those considering quitting to explore Help Me Quit for available support. Cathy Fisher, a smoking cessation practitioner, commended their determination to quit, highlighting the higher success rate when quitting as a couple.
“They had a challenging journey before seeking help, but they succeeded,” Fisher said. “Quitting together significantly improves the chances. Adam, a heavy smoker, found a way out with Laura’s support.”
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