Rosalyn's story

I was terrified I’d have another stroke. The thought of not being around for my sons made me feel sick.

''I’d not long retired from the NHS when I noticed a strange tingling in my fingers. The nurse at my doctor’s surgery wasn’t concerned and sent me home, but it just didn’t seem right to me. I called a friend I used to work with who is a doctor, and she urged me to go to the hospital immediately.

It turned out I’d had a full stroke because my cholesterol was so high. I was in complete shock. They sent me home with a prescription for aspirin, blood thinners, and statins.

The stroke left me with memory and balance problems, and I was very weak on one side. As the shock subsided, the reality of my situation began to sink in, and I was terrified I’d have another stroke. The thought of not being around for my sons made me feel sick.

I was invited for an appointment with a consultant who suspected I had something called Familial hypercholesterolaemia which means high cholesterol runs in the family. When I got home, I called my sisters to tell them. They got tested and found out they have high cholesterol too! I would urge anyone to get their cholesterol tested because we had no idea and it’s so dangerous.

My confidence was in tatters, and I was anxious all the time. I desperately needed information about what to do next and how to prevent another stroke. For a long time, I felt lost and didn’t know where to turn.

In my search for answers, I found HEART UK – The Cholesterol Charity. Their website is a goldmine of reliable information about understanding and managing cholesterol. I found it really helpful to read other people’s stories and for the first time I felt like I wasn’t alone.

I signed up for their free, monthly, Cholesterol e-News, which has been a lifeline. It’s the one email I look forward to reading. It’s full of easy-to-understand advice, good recipes, and helpful diet quizzes. I’ve learned so much without even realising it, and now I know the right questions to ask when I visit my doctor. I don’t feel lost in the dark anymore.

Now, I get my cholesterol tested once a year. By following HEART UK’s dietary and lifestyle advice, my cholesterol levels are normal. HEART UK has given me peace of mind and my confidence back. I’m enjoying my life again without constant worry.

HEART UK truly saved me, and I’m forever grateful''. 

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