ASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, says the stroke he suffered in August, which required emergency medical treatment in the United States, occurred after he received several neck massages while on vacation.
Drew, 49, a medical practitioner, said the stroke resulted from a vertebral artery dissection, a tear in an artery that supplies blood to the back of the brain.
The prime minister, who officially returns to office on Monday, spoke publicly about the medical emergency during a National Thanksgiving Service at National Heroes Park on Sunday, after returning to the twin-island federation on Saturday.
He recalled becoming concerned after experiencing prolonged dizziness and difficulty maintaining his balance.
Recognising that something was wrong, Drew said he immediately contacted several medical colleagues, including a neurosurgeon, and explained his symptoms.
He dismissed suggestions that the stroke was linked to stress or underlying health conditions, noting that he maintains a healthy lifestyle.
“I have a stressful job, but I’m not stressed out,” he said, adding that his blood pressure was 110 over 70 when examined.
Drew said he exercises regularly, eats well and has no history of hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol.
Addressing speculation surrounding his illness, the prime minister explained that the stroke was caused by damage to his left vertebral artery, which he believes occurred during the massages.
“When I was on vacation, just the week before, I went for a number of massages, and they massaged my neck and moved my neck too much, and it tore the left vertebral artery,” he explained.
He said the injury disrupted blood flow to part of his brain, resulting in a stroke that differed from those commonly associated with high blood pressure or other cardiovascular risk factors.
“This one was because of the massage and my neck. They went too deep and twisted my neck a bit, and it nipped the artery called the vertebral artery,” Drew said.
The prime minister further explained that his left vertebral artery was naturally narrower than the right, which had compensated by supplying blood to both sides over his lifetime.
He believes this helped reduce the severity of the medical emergency.
Drew said he was given a clean bill of health and discharged from the US hospital where he received treatment before returning home.
He also expressed gratitude to the public for the outpouring of prayers, messages and support throughout his recovery.
“From the depths of my soul, thank you. Thank you for every prayer whispered in the quiet of the night. Thank you for every message, every call, every kind word,” he said. “I felt your love and care. I felt your faith. And I believe, I truly believe, that it helped to carry me through.”
