Nurse discovers hole in heart after stroke at age 50
Kim Cameron had a stroke at 50 caused by an undetected hole in her heart, but recovered fully with no lasting damage.
Kim Cameron, a Warrnambool nurse, had a stroke in early 2021 while at the lake with her aunt. Kim Cameron's arm went numb and she couldn't drink; her aunt, who'd taken stroke training two weeks earlier, recognised the signs and rushed her to hospital.
Tests revealed a hole between two chambers in her heart that never closed at birth. A tiny blood clot passed through that hole into her brain, causing the stroke.
She spent 24 hours in ICU on clot-busting medications, then had surgery in Geelong to seal the hole. Despite the scare, she had no lasting damage; her long-standing migraines even disappeared.
She still works as a nurse in Camperdown and now walks for Stride4Stroke, a charity event that raises money for stroke recovery.
- Kim Cameron, Warrnambool nurse
- Patient
- Lake Pertobe, Warrnambool
- Stroke location
- 24 hours
- Time in ICU
- Geelong
- Surgery location
Why it mattersShows how quick recognition of stroke signs saves lives, and reveals a hidden heart condition many people don't know they have.
AustraliaSouth-west Victorian readers see local healthcare system working; highlights value of stroke awareness training for family members.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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