Former Leicester MP Jonathan Ashworth recovering after stroke

Jonathan Ashworth, a former Labour Member of Parliament for Leicester South from 2011 to 2024, has disclosed that he experienced a stroke on New Year’s Day and is presently in recovery. He expressed deep gratitude towards the NHS staff who promptly attended to him and continue to support his rehabilitation process.

In an interview with The Mirror, the 47-year-old recounted the early symptoms he faced, including stiffness in his left arm and a partial loss of vision in his left eye. He explained that a blood clot was obstructing the flow of blood and oxygen to his brain, which was triggered by unexpectedly high blood pressure. Ashworth revealed that he was unaware he had been living with such elevated blood pressure levels because he had delayed going for a routine health check.

As a former shadow secretary of state for health and social care, Ashworth emphasized the importance of raising awareness about blood pressure monitoring. He urged that access to blood pressure support services should be expanded to encourage more people to get their levels checked and take the issue seriously. On social media, he shared that he is “on the mend,” noting that he was able to complete a short run as part of his recovery. He also called on others to prioritize monitoring their blood pressure.

The Stroke Association advises recognizing the signs of a stroke using the FAST method: checking for facial weakness or drooping, testing arm weakness by asking the person to raise both arms, listening for speech difficulties such as slurred or unclear speech, and acting quickly by calling emergency services if any of these symptoms are present

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More