Know your Numbers – Richard’s Story

Taking action to measure and understand important statistics about your health such as your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body weight probably isn’t always at the top of your to-do list…

But when these numbers reach unhealthy levels, they can lead to cardiovascular disease. This is often symptomless until something serious happens – like a stroke or heart attack.

Richard Warne, Senior Executive in our Sustainability Team, shares his story, and explains why it’s always a good idea to ‘know your numbers’. 

Richard’s Story

I was playing squash as usual one Saturday and ended up collapsing. I was checked over and everything seemed fine. I put it down to a particularly tough game and being dehydrated.

The following Thursday, I left work later than expected. It was snowing so it took me a few hours to get home. I collapsed as soon as I stepped in the front doorway. I was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, where they later informed me, I’d had a stroke! I was a fit and active 45-year-old, so it was a real shock.

The long road to recovery

After four days in hospital I was sent home. My mobility returned quickly but my speech was seriously affected. I began working with a speech and language therapist and a clinical psychologist, re-learning how to speak, how to build up my stamina and get a plan in place to return to work.  

An in-depth neuropsychological assessment found that my reduced speed of language and processing are likely to remain for the foreseeable future. I find it difficult to express complicated ideas quickly, I’m slower at completing tasks and more likely to make mistakes if forced to do them under pressure. I also need to be careful not to push myself too much at work. 

Richard at home with his dogs, Mutley and Wilson

A helping hand

My family and friends were very important during this time. My wife, Julie, had to be incredibly strong in what was a very challenging situation. It did have an impact on Julie’s mental health and my clinical psychologist supported her through this too. My close friends gave me the opportunity to catch up for coffee in the first six months, allowing me to have some ‘down’ time to get some much-needed rest while my brain was re-wiring itself.

Back on board!

Work have been awesome. The Senior Leadership Team, Occupational Health, the People Team and my colleagues and friends have been supportive, giving me the time and space to get better. 

It’s so important to have open conversations with your manager. I’ve had to get my head around a different way of working now. I was keen to get back to the previous level, but I’ve learned you need to trust and listen to the advice from the experts!

Had I gone to the hospital after collapsing at that squash game, they may have foreseen what was going to happen. It’s so important to know your numbers and read the signs – you never know when they might come in handy.

Get to Know your Numbers

A huge thank you to Richard for sharing his incredible story.

Even if you do everything you can to stay fit and healthy, getting your numbers checked regularly and understanding what they mean is a great way to keep an eye on things.

Check out this helpful guide on the Good Day at CUK hub to learn more. In support of Know your Numbers Week, between 5 and 14 September, the Occupational Health team at Carnival House will also be providing a number of opportunities to learn more about your numbers – related to cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and body mass index (BMI). Find out more and book an appointment here.