Man Who Couldn't Read His Emails Diagnosed with Haemorrhagic Stroke

A 63-year-old man in Scotland who suddenly could not understand the words in his emails was later diagnosed with a haemorrhagic stroke, and he is now enrolled in an international trial studying antiplatelet drugs after this type of stroke.

A 63-year-old man from Midlothian, Scotland, suddenly found that the text of his emails no longer made sense to him. He initially assumed he was tired, but after family urged a hospital visit he was diagnosed with a haemorrhagic stroke (a bleed on the brain). Researchers at the University of Edinburgh and other funders are now studying whether antiplatelet drugs can reduce future problems for people who have had this type of stroke. Known details: - The man could see senders and characters but said the words ‘‘meant nothing’’ to him when reading email and text messages. - He delayed care briefly before family members insisted he go to hospital, where scans identified a brain bleed. - Haemorrhagic strokes account for about 15 percent of strokes, according to the British Heart Foundation. - He is one of roughly 4,000 participants worldwide in the ASPIRING trial, which is comparing aspirin and clopidogrel for people after haemorrhagic stroke; earlier research led by the University of Edinburgh reported these drugs appeared safe in this context. Summary: The case illustrates that stroke can present with uncommon symptoms such as sudden inability to understand written words. The individual is currently participating in the ASPIRING clinical trial to gather evidence on whether antiplatelet drugs affect future stroke or heart attack risk; the study is ongoing.