Stroke Treatment: The time of my stroke saved my life

Mr McCausland, 39, said it was sheer luck the timing of his stroke meant he could have the thrombectomy treatment.

“I was very lucky that the two surgeons that could do the treatment were there and I was there at the right time,” he said.

“I dread to think what my current state of life would be like, or even if I would be here, if I had of suffered my stroke at a different time.”

Mr McCausland, a father of two, said the treatment he received saved his life.

“It meant everything to me to have the treatment, it really did save my life. I would dread to think what my quality of life would have been like going forward without it,” he said.

He said he is grateful to have his two children, his wife Rachel, his parents and the rest of his family.

“Luckily my parents were staying at the house when I took the stroke. My dad started looking for me as I was gone for over an hour and he found me lying on the bedroom floor, not moving,” he said.

When the ambulance arrived he was taken straight to the Royal Victoria Hospital and received a thrombectomy within four hours of having the stroke.

He is now backing calls for a 24/7 thrombectomy service.

“I would urge people to push for this service to be available 24/7, because it can save lives,” he added.