“Losing Weight Dramatically Improved My Stroke Survival and Recovery!”

When Woman’s World reader Paulette Szalay suffered a stroke, she discovered one thing that saved her life: her recent weight loss. And now she wants other people to protect themselves and prepare for future stroke survival and recovery. Keep reading to learn about her powerful story in her own words and watch the video above to hear some of Paulette's best weight-loss advice…

Paulette’s story of stroke survival and recovery

“It was a stressful January day teaching 8 th grade science. The class bell rang and students poured out into the school corridor. As I followed, walking past a row of shiny metal lockers, I sensed what felt like a firework burst behind my left eye. In an instant, I went blind in that eye, which affected my balance and my ability to walk. I was so disoriented. I called out to another teacher saying, ‘I can’t see!’ People quickly swarmed around asking if I had a piece of dirt in my eye, but this seemed completely different. I knew deep down, Something is really wrong.

“Within minutes I heard ambulance sirens. Thankfully, Holy Name Medical Center was right across the street from the school, but I was still hysterically crying, afraid of what was happening to me.

“In the ER, I was asked 1,000 questions — about stress and any recent weight changes — and hooked up to an IV. My symptoms weren’t consistent with a type of migraine called an ocular migraine that affects vision, so the staff performed a CAT scan. It didn’t find anything. Next, they did a CAT scan with contrast dye and that’s when they found the unmistakable white spot on my brain indicating one thing: a stroke.

I couldn't believe I had a stroke at 58

“It didn’t make sense. This can’t be, I thought. I was young. And I was so healthy. I’d actually been in the best health of my life the last 10 months. My urgent question was: ‘Will I ever get my vision back in my left eye? ‘But the doctors didn’t know. All they said was, ‘There’s no guarantee.’

“I was admitted to the hospital to be monitored. They ran tests trying to find out why I’d had the stroke in the first place. But they couldn’t find anything. My heart was healthy. My body was healthy. In fact, I’d lost 90 pounds the year before and was feeling great. So they chalked up my stroke to stress and nothing more.

“The next day in the hospital, I waited patiently to see what would happen with my vision. During this time I witnessed a huge outpouring of love from my school community. The security guard at the hospital said, ‘I’ve never seen so many visitors for one person.’ But I was still scared. I told my doctor, ‘I’m getting really nervous that I’ll be blind forever in this eye.’

“The doctor paused and looked at me. She couldn’t reveal any sensitive patient information, due to HIPAA privacy regulations , but she shared, ‘Paulette, let me tell you something. Two patients came to the ER that day, around the exact same time, both with strokes, near the same age. And only one of you will be going home. The other patient didn’t make it. He died.’ The doctor added, ‘So no matter what happens with your vision, you’re the lucky one.’

“And then the doctor said something I’ll never forget: ‘Your weight loss last year is a big, big factor in your survival. Losing weight saved your life. If you hadn’t lost weight and been living a healthy lifestyle, your outcome would have been much, much different.’

Weight loss improved my stroke survival and recovery

“I was stunned. I felt so grateful for my own survival and so sorry to hear about the other patient’s experience. And then it happened: Within an hour, my vision magically restored in my left eye. It was like a curtain being drawn open, letting in the sunlight. Thank you, God!

“I’m happy to report that I fully recovered from my stroke and am living my best life as a teacher, grandmother, fashion model and actress. Now I’m on a mission to spread the word that weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle is so important when it comes to stroke survival and recovery.

“My stroke experience solidified the idea that I’m never going back to being heavy. In all, I’ve lost 110 pounds now . And I continue to work on improving my heart health, my bone health and my brain health to age well.

“I’ve inspired so many people so far to lose weight and protect themselves, increasing the chances of favorable stroke survival and recovery outcomes. One school parent heard my story and lost 58 pounds. One of my students even lost 28 pounds and transformed her confidence. There really is no better time to save your life than the present!”

Know the symptoms of stroke to boost survival

Some 60% of stroke deaths occur in women, according to doctors at Northwestern Medicine . And women are more likely to experience worse recoveries from stroke than men. Taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, being pregnant, having migraines or carrying excess weight (especially in the waist) are all risk factors for stroke in women. Also know these common symptoms…

• Hiccups, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat
• Facial numbness or weakness in an arm or leg
• Confusion, difficulty speaking
• Vision trouble in one or both eyes
• Loss of balance or difficulty walking
• Headache with no known cause

If you experience any of the symptoms above, seek immediate medical care.

Read more: Weight Loss Saved Me From A Wheelchair .
Weight Loss Saved Me from Diabetes .
My Best Friend Saved My Life By Giving Me Her Kidney .