Xuenou > Editor's Picks > Formula One broadcaster in tears as she opens up on cough which led to serious stroke
Formula One broadcaster in tears as she opens up on cough which led to serious stroke
Formula One broadcaster in tears as she opens up on cough which led to serious stroke,Formula One and Formula E broadcaster Jennie Gow has been absent from our screens since suffering a heartbreaking stroke as a result of a clot in the carotid artery

Formula One broadcaster in tears as she opens up on cough which led to serious stroke

Formula One broadcaster Jennie Gow has provided an update on the devastating cough which caused her to suffer a stroke at the start of this year.

Gow, who celebrated her 46th birthday on Saturday, has been a regular radio presenter of F1 since standing in as a pit lane reporter for the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, eventually earning a permanent role for the 2012 season.

Also appearing in Netflix's ground-breaking Drive to Survive series, the Southampton-born broadcaster has been a major figure in the rise of Formula E, presenting every one of the BBC's three live races per season.

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Gow has been absent from our screens since suffering an awful stroke shortly after Christmas. Husband Jamie Coley described the incident as the "worst moment" of his life.

"I was trying to call your name and get you to speak to me and I was just getting nothing back from you," he recalled to the BBC as Gow struggled to fight back tears. "It was the worst moment of my life."

Jennie Gow struggled to speak after the stroke
Jennie Gow struggled to speak after the stroke
Jennie Gow's husband described the incident as the "worst moment" of his life.
Jennie Gow's husband described the incident as the "worst moment" of his life.

Dr Thomas Pain revealed the stroke was caused by a clot from the carotid artery which resulted from coughing due to a viral infection Jennie had at the time. The medical expert also appeared in the BBC mini-documentary, explaining that the cause of the stroke was "extremely rare".

Dr Pain said: "The majority of strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel which supplies the brain. Your stroke was caused by a clot from the carotid artery, in the neck, a tear in the blood vessel due to coughing and a viral infection you had at the time. That clot flew up the vessel, causing the stroke on the left side of the brain."

Dr Thomas Pain explained how the clot was caused
Dr Thomas Pain explained how the clot was caused
Jennie is determined to make a full recovery
Jennie is determined to make a full recovery

Jennie's clot was successfully removed by going under the knife but the impact of the stroke meant she has spent the last few months re-learning how to walk and talk.

She said: "I still feel numb down my right side. My sense of taste is gone and I get very tired, but my voice is getting better.

"I'm determined to come back as strong as ever and I want to share my experiences to try and shine a light on stroke survivors – and if this can help just one person that will be enough."

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