Emma's Story
While riding in a spin class, 23-year-old Emma Rand suddenly felt off — signs of a stroke no one recognized.
A few songs into her workout, Emma began to feel dizzy and lost her balance. Her instructor ran to help while someone else called 9-1-1. That’s when Emma realized she could no longer feel her right arm.
EMTs arrived and worked to reduce Emma’s blood pressure and told her she may have a pinched nerve. While she started to gain some feeling back in her arm, something still felt off.
Five days later, Emma learned she had experienced a stroke. If given within 4.5 hours, stroke victims can be treated with clot-busting medications, but Emma's stroke happened days before. She spent the next three days in the hospital undergoing several tests with no answers, and upon discharge, began seeing an occupational therapist.
Emma later discovered she had a congenital heart defect — a hole in her heart which she later had a procedure to close — which may have allowed a clot to travel to her brain. She continued therapy, becoming more confident using her arm and hand, and eventually started cardiac rehab to aid in her recovery.
Today, Emma is back in the gym, and aside from weakened grip strength, her arm and hand are back to normal. While she has experienced a cognitive change since the stroke, she writes notes to help her remember and works to improve every day.
Emma’s experience is a reminder that stroke can happen at any age and symptoms aren't always obvious. That’s why it’s important to learn the signs of a stroke and act F.A.S.T.: Face drooping; Arm weakness; Speech difficulty; Time to call 9-1-1. Quick action can improve outcomes, protect the brain, and ultimately, save lives.
The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is committed to educating communities and advancing lifesaving science in brain and heart health. Every dollar raised through CycleNation fuels research, awareness and programs that help people like Emma, allowing more survivors to return to work, their family and the activities they love.