In this episode, released during Stroke Awareness Month, we speak to Abbie, a researcher at the University of Manchester working on a project supported by The Natalie Kate Moss Trust.

Abbie’s research is exploring whether an intracerebral haemorrhage - a stroke caused by bleeding inside the brain - could be identified before a patient reaches hospital.

At present, paramedics cannot reliably distinguish a brain haemorrhage from a stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel without a hospital brain scan. Abbie’s work is helping to develop a diagnostic approach that combines a rapid finger-prick blood test with clinical information such as blood pressure and level of consciousness.

Earlier diagnosis could ultimately allow patients to receive the right treatment sooner. Because when somebody experiences a stroke, Every Second Counts.

Abbie talks about:

• What an intracerebral haemorrhage is and why the first few hours are so critical.
• Why paramedics cannot currently identify the type of stroke inside an ambulance.
• How a finger-prick test for a protein called GFAP could help detect bleeding in the brain.
• Why the test result would be combined with clinical information such as blood pressure and consciousness.
• The Greater Manchester DIAGNOSIS study and how its findings will inform the project.
• Why distinguishing between bleeding and a blockage is essential before treatment begins.
• How early blood-pressure treatment could potentially improve outcomes for patients with an intracerebral haemorrhage.
• The importance of making any new diagnostic approach safe, accurate and practical for paramedics.
• What researchers can learn from patients, paramedics and hospital stroke clinicians.
• The next steps towards testing the approach in ambulances.
• How support from The Natalie Kate Moss Trust is helping to move this work forward.
• Why recognising the signs of stroke and seeking emergency help immediately can make such an important difference.

Learn More About the Research

Discover more about the project and how researchers hope to diagnose and treat intracerebral haemorrhage sooner:

https://www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk/blog/diagnosing-and-treating-intracerebral-haemorrhage-in-the-ambulance

Support The Natalie Kate Moss Trust

The Natalie Kate Moss Trust funds research into brain haemorrhage, with the aim of improving prevention, treatment and outcomes for people affected by this devastating condition.

If you would like to support this research and the Trust’s wider work, you can make a donation here:

https://www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk/donate

Every Second Counts

This episode forms part of our Every Second Counts campaign during Stroke Awareness Month.

A stroke is always a medical emergency. If you think that you or somebody else may be experiencing a stroke, call 999 immediately. Do not wait to see whether the symptoms improve.

Monthly Blood Pressure Reminders

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for brain haemorrhage. Regularly checking your blood pressure can help you understand your numbers and identify high blood pressure.

Sign up to receive a monthly reminder to check your blood pressure:

https://mailchi.mp/nataliekatemoss.co.uk/monthly-reminders

More from the Podcast

If you’re new to the podcast, there are plenty of episodes to catch up on across Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3, featuring personal experiences, expert insight and conversations about brain-haemorrhage prevention, treatment and recovery.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the podcast.

In this episode, we speak to Jenna, whose husband Dom had a brain haemorrhage two years ago. We heard Dom’s story in Series 2; this episode explores the experience from Jenna’s perspective as his wife and as a mum to their three children.

Jenna talks about:

• What family life was like before Dom’s brain haemorrhage.
• The day Dom became unwell and how she recognised that something was seriously wrong.
• The shock of finding out he had suffered a brain haemorrhage.
• What the first days in hospital were like and how she managed the uncertainty.
• Supporting Dom while caring for their three children.
• How the experience affected their children and how they responded to Dom’s recovery.
• The impact of the brain haemorrhage on Jenna’s own mental health and wellbeing.
• How the experience affected their relationship and family life.
• What recovery has looked like for Dom, including fatigue, brain fog, headaches and other ongoing difficulties.
• Living with the reality of an invisible illness and why recovery can be difficult to see from the outside.
• The support Jenna and her family received and the support she feels is needed for partners and families.
• What she wishes she had known when Dom first became ill.
• What she would say to other partners and families going through a similar experience.

Support The Natalie Kate Moss Trust

The Natalie Kate Moss Trust funds research into brain haemorrhage, with the aim of improving outcomes for people affected by this devastating condition.

If you would like to support our work, you can make a donation here:

Donate to The Natalie Kate Moss Trust
https://www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk/donate?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Monthly Blood Pressure Reminders

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for brain haemorrhage. Regularly checking your blood pressure can help you understand your numbers and identify high blood pressure.

Sign up to receive a monthly reminder to check your blood pressure:

Sign up for monthly blood pressure reminders
https://mailchi.mp/nataliekatemoss.co.uk/monthly-reminders?utm_source=chatgpt.com

More about The Natalie Kate Moss Trust

Find out more about the Natalie Kate Moss Trust
https://www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk/

In this final episode of the series, we take a moment to reflect on the powerful conversations, stories, and insights shared throughout The Preventable Podcast — and distil them into five key lessons for life after a brain haemorrhage.

Across the series, we’ve heard from survivors, loved ones, clinicians, researchers, and advocates, each offering honest perspectives on what recovery really looks like. From the critical importance of fast action, to navigating grief, rebuilding identity, leaning on community, and planning ahead — this episode brings those lessons together in one place.

This conversation is designed to support anyone affected by brain haemorrhage — whether you’re a survivor, supporting someone you love, or passionate about prevention and awareness. It’s about acknowledging how complex this journey can be, while also offering reassurance, perspective, and hope for what life can look like beyond survival.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why time equals brain — and how fast action can save lives
• Giving yourself permission to grieve the life and identity you’ve lost
• The power of connection, community, and shared experience in recovery
• Why recovery is a journey, not a timeline — and how to navigate the ups and downs
• The importance of planning ahead and protecting what matters most

This episode brings together key moments and voices from across the series, highlighting practical advice, emotional insight, and lived experience. It also reinforces why awareness, prevention, and research matter — not just for outcomes, but for the quality of life that follows.

As we close this series, we want to thank every guest, listener, and supporter who has been part of this journey. Together, we’re helping to change how brain haemorrhages are understood, prevented, and lived with — and supporting one another to move from surviving to thriving.

For resources, support, and information on brain haemorrhage prevention and research, visit www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk or follow @natalie_kate_moss_trust on Instagram.

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Resources & Links:

Learn more about the research being done at the University of Manchester
https://www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk/brain-haemorrhage-research

Contact NKMT about supporting the podcast
fiona@nataliekatemoss.co.uk

Donate to life-saving research: Every £1 makes a huge difference. Just £33.91 pays for one hour of research — one hour closer to improving survival rates and reducing long-term disability for thousands of people.
Donate now

Join the Change Collective
https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbYbVG2Jh08re4Ch/

Volunteer at Blood Pressure Awareness Days — help us spread awareness and prevent brain haemorrhages: https://www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk