Jen Bogart was just 39 years old and seemingly in good health when the unexpected and unspeakable happened. She was spending time with friends when suddenly and without warning she began to experience weakness and difficulty speaking.
One of her friends recognized that Jen was having a stroke. Thanks to their quick thinking, Jen was on her way to hospital in short order, soon enough to receive the clot-dissolving drug, tPA.
Jen is thankful to the friend who may have saved her life and also grateful for the Heart and Stroke research that led to the development of drugs like tPA.
Jen recently learned that as a stroke survivor, her risk of developing dementia has increased. Always active, she is now more motivated than ever to stay healthy to reduce her dementia risk and avoid a second stroke.
She talks about her fears and hopes for a healthy future.
Jen Bogart, Charlottetown, PEI
Learn more about stroke and dementia.