Serene Branson shares her story on the Today Show

TV reporter Serene Branson, who suddenly began speaking gibberish while reporting live at the Grammys and prompted speculation that she may have had a stroke while on the air, shared about her diagnosis on the Today Show.  Serene reportedly consulted Dr. Neil Martin, chief of neurosurgery at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and Dr. Andrew Charles, director of UCLA’s Headache Research and Treatment Program, who ultimately diagnosed her with complex migraine.  This type of migraine with aura can have symptoms like numbness and loss of speech that often mimic stroke, according to Charles who was authorized to publicly share about her condition.  Serene also reported having a headache and blurry vision before these new symptoms came on, but did not know they were migraine related.

While Serene told the Today Show her experience was both terrifying and embarrassing, airing her experience over and over again on national television and the internet has had a significant effect on raising awareness about stroke and migraine and prompted speculation that patent foramen ovale (PFO), a remnant of fetal circulation commonly referred to as a “hole in the heart,” may have been involved.  Bray Patrick-Lake, president of the PFO Research Foundation, noted that while both stroke and migraine with aura are often reported in patients having a PFO she was not aware of any accounts stating that Branson had been diagnosed with a PFO.

The take away message is that anyone experiencing these symptoms needs to be seen by a qualified physician right away to determine their cause.  The American Stroke Association wants you to learn the warning signs of stroke and provides the following recommendations:

If you notice one or more of these signs, don’t wait.  Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency medical services. Get to a hospital right away!

Stroke warning signs:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Be prepared for an emergency.

• Keep a list of emergency rescue service numbers next to the telephone and in your pocket, wallet or purse.
  * Find out which area hospitals are primary stroke centers that have 24-hour emergency stroke care.
  * Know (in advance) which hospital or medical facility is nearest your home or office.
• Take action in an emergency.
  * Not all the warning signs occur in every stroke. Don’t ignore signs of stroke, even if they go away!
  * Check the time. When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You’ll be asked this important question later.
  * If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, don’t delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical service (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can quickly be sent for you.
  * If you’re with someone who may be having stroke symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or the EMS. Expect the person to protest — denial is common. Don’t take “no” for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action.
  *For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE or visit their Web site http://www.strokeassociation.org.

For migraine information, visit http://www.migraine.com.

For PFO information, please visit http://www.pforesearch.org.