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<\/p>\nStephen Frame, 44, from Glasgow trains four times a week and passes on his expertise to clients running his own personal training business, SFrameFit.<\/p>\n
An ultra-fit personal trainer has told how he suffered two shock strokes<\/a> before medics discovered a heart defect he had from birth.<\/p>\n Stephen Frame, 44, a depute headteacher from <\/a>Rutherglen<\/a> trains four times a week and passes on his expertise to clients running his own personal training business in his spare time, SFrameFit.<\/p>\n But just weeks ago his life was flipped upside down<\/a> when unusual symptoms he put down to a virus turned out to be two devastating strokes.<\/p>\n He was then diagnosed with a potential hidden killer defect that was causing his heart to stop in his sleep.<\/a><\/p>\n Stephen, told the Record: \u201cWhen I woke up on Friday, March 21 I just felt incredibly dizzy. I was struggling to support myself and the room was spinning.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI started to feel sick and nauseous. <\/a>I decided to lie down that day.<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed that I was spilling water slightly when I tried to take a drink. It continued throughout the weekend. I just put it down to a virus.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI went into work on Monday afternoon and I just felt like my right hand wasn\u2019t doing what I wanted it to.<\/a><\/p>\n “I spoke to a friend who is a doctor. He said there were some major red flags and he told me to go to hospital. That advice saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Stephen was given a CT scan at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital <\/a>which revealed the shock news he had suffered a stroke, known as a cerebellar infarction, which had blocked the blood supply to areas of his brain.<\/p>\n An MRI scan <\/a>then showed up that Stephen had in fact suffered two strokes.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe it. I was in total shock. To be told I had suffered two strokes were terrifying. <\/a>That was the last thing I thought it would be.<\/p>\n \u201cDoctors said had I ignored it any longer then it could have been a completely different story.<\/a><\/p>\n Stephen was kept in a stroke ward for further tests and assessments. He was just about to be discharged when a doctor asked if he could take part in a research study looking into links between heart issues and strokes.<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI was sent home with a heart monitor to wear for 28 days,” Stephen added.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI was called back in on my 43rd birthday weekend, (May 1) They told me that they discovered <\/a>that my heart was pausing in my sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything over three seconds is a concern. My heart would stop for seven.”<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThey found that I had a gap in my heart that had been there since birth.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThey said that was causing my strokes as it was forming blood clots<\/a> that were travelling to my brain.<\/p>\n Stephen has been given a pacemaker device to ensure his heart doesn\u2019t go into a life-threatening cardiac arrest.<\/a> And he is set to undergo surgery to close the gap in his heart.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cIf my heart<\/a> paused when I was awake I would know all about it and I could get help. If it stopped for too long in my sleep I would have no chance.<\/p>\n “I’m lucky that I could take part in the research. It meant everything<\/a> was diagnosed quicker.”<\/p>\n Stephen, who has been supported by husband, Nick, 38, has urged Scots not ignore any symptoms, no matter how unusual they are.<\/a> He has not been able to work since suffering his two strokes but is focusing on his recovery before stepping back into the classroom or the gym.<\/p>\n He added: “Because I’m fit and healthy I’ve been able to bounce back. It is life changing though. I’ll be on blood thinners<\/a> and the pacemaker for the rest of my life. There are parts of my brain tissue which have died and will never recover.<\/p>\n “It just shows it can happen to anyone.<\/a><\/p>\n “It wasn’t the classic stroke symptoms <\/a>either. I want others to be aware of that.<\/p>\n![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/496304415_18502106524050708_9155903542654495825_n.jpg\")
Stephen started to feel dizzy at home days before he was took himself to hospital<\/p>\n![\"Scans](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/496241118_18502106440050708_3204930316694106125_n.jpg\")
Scans revealed the PT suffered two strokes<\/p>\n![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/495658637_18502106494050708_5256088108877239219_n.jpg\")
Stephen was kept in a stroke ward![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1747398730_254_0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/495971503_18502106533050708_5435230592647427467_n.jpg\")
A 28-day monitor found Stephen’s heart would pause in his sleep<\/p>\n![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_Stephen-Frame.jpg\")
Stephen hopes to make a full recovery<\/p>\n