RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A man who suffered a life-changing stroke earlier this year has revealed the unexpected symptoms he ignored for days, not knowing what they could have signaled.
On January 29, 2026, Matt Wright’s life was derailed by a stroke that would leave him in hospital for a month. While the stroke seemingly came out of nowhere, Wright, 48, now reflects on the warning signs that began two weeks before the medical emergency took place.
Indeed, Wright, from Essex, in the U.K, told Newsweek that the symptoms began with dizziness and fatigue, before he developed pain in his neck and ear. At the time, he thought they could have been caused by anything, making them "easy to ignore."
"I then had a terrible headache, but it was localized in one area, as if someone was pressing against the side of my head," Wright said. "Like most people, I dismissed them all as everyday symptoms. You assume it's something else, like an ear infection, stress, or vertigo."
On the night of the stroke, Wright went to bed early, due to the severity of his headache .
"She tried to get me up and realized I couldn't walk either. She phoned 999 and was told we'd probably have a 90-minute wait for an ambulance, so she dressed me and dragged me downstairs to try to get me into the car," Wright added.
Fortunately, a nearby ambulance came on duty and arrived minutes later. Wright was transported to the hospital and, although his CT scan was clear, his symptoms continued to progress. He was then transferred to the stroke ward and received an MRI scan, which showed several blood clots on his brain. Wright was diagnosed with bilateral carotid artery tears, with significant damage caused on the left side, causing the blood clots that went to his brain.
The CDC estimates that more than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year, equating to around one every 40 seconds. The risk of stroke increases with age, but they can occur any time, so it is important to know the warning signs.
The American Stroke Association recommends memorizing the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. to know the common signs:
Wright had to spend a month in hospital following the stroke, and still has ongoing problems with his balance, mobility and speech.
He told Newsweek: "I also have nerve damage in my neck, which they believe is from the artery tear, that caused paralysis on the left side of my tongue and affects my swallowing. I continue to have significant headaches and pain, and neuropathy on the left side of my face and head.
"I used to love going to the gym, but I can no longer do that. I've had to completely change my diet to soft food, and I can only eat little and often. I've even had to adapt my home. I now have a special adjustable bed, a seat so I can use the shower, and I can only walk short distances with a stick," Wright said.
As he comes to terms with his new reality, Wright has been documenting his recovery on social media (@matty_stroke_survivor on TikTok and Instagram). He regularly posts about the warning signs he missed and the long-term impacts of the stroke .
Many of his videos have gone viral, and Wright said he hopes they will encourage others to seek medical advice if they ever exhibit any "alarming" symptoms .
"Make the most of every day, because you never know what's around the corner. Strokes are dangerous because they hide behind everyday symptoms, so if you're experiencing anything unusual, don't be afraid to seek help," Wright continued.
Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek .
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Charlotte Nisbet and James Debens
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.