Nerve-racking moment politician suffers a stroke during live TV interview

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A Serbian politician suffered a stroke on live television, shocking presenters as his face drooped and he began to slur his words.

Minister for Public Investments Darko Glišićfell was a guest on Televizija Pink earlier this week when he began to stutter and act strangely.

Worried, the two television presenters cut the broadcast short and called for an ambulance, which rushed him to the hospital in Belgrade.

Glišićfell reportedly had surgery and is in serious condition, having been put on a ventilator briefly.

The politician is close to President Alexander Vučić, who shared a photo of the pair in hospital on Instagram, captioned ‘Courage, wait! There is no surrender.’

Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar said in a statement: ‘He fell ill during the TV show and was taken to the emergency room unconscious. What is known now is that he is in serious condition.’

The minister appeared unwell moments before his face started to droop (Picture: Televizija Pink)

Strokes can affect anyone, old and young, and the symptoms can vary from person to person, but usually, they are very sudden.

As different parts of your brain control different parts of your body, your symptoms will depend on the part of your brain affected and the extent of the damage.

They occur when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This means that within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die.

Strokes aren’t always life-threatening, but the earlier you get help for someone who you think may be suffering one, the better it is for them.

Prompt treatment is crucial to minimise how much of brain damage and further complications the person is left with.

Recognising a stroke

S – Ask the person to SMILE

T – Can they TALK? Ask if they can speak a simple sentence.

R – See if they can raise both arms

If they can’t do any one of these, call 999.

Not all sufferers share the same signs, according to the NHS. Other symptoms include

  • complete paralysis of one side of the body
  • sudden loss or blurring of vision
  • confusion
  • difficulty understanding what others are saying
  • problems with balance and coordination
  • difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • a sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain, unlike anything experienced before
  • loss of consciousness.

If you do experience these symptoms, it doesn’t always mean it’s a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke that disappear quickly and in less than 24 hours could be signs of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

TIAs are like mini-strokes and usually last a few minutes or hours before disappearing altogether. A TIA means there isn’t enough oxygen going to the brain. In its early stages, a TIA and a stroke look similar, so you should seek help either way.

A TIA is also a warning that you may suffer a stroke in the future.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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