Open Your Heart: Rick Hansing, Stroke Survivor, Saved by His Wife Carolyn

The Hansing family is forever grateful for the American Heart Association Sweetheart Program and the Oklahoma City Heart Ball. Rick Hansing was training for an Ironman Triathalon and was looking forward to his last ride and run one Saturday morning in September 2013. During his run Rick had trouble holding on to his water bottle and experienced numbness in one of his feet. Rick pushed through his training and only after a terrible headache forced him under the covers with no lights or noise did he begin to think something wasn’t right. It wasn’t until his wife, Carolyn attended a Sweetheart event later that weekend that she connected the dots. During the event the signs and symptoms of stroke were discussed – sudden numbness, dizziness, difficulty seeing, loss of coordination or severe headache. Rick and Carolyn went to their doctor’s office. After several tests, two trips to the ER and at Carolyn’s urging to check for a stroke, they received a diagnosis. Rick had a spontaneous carotid artery dissection. The risk of a massive stroke was high. Rick was admitted to the hospital. The massive stroke was avoided, but Rick did have evidence of three brain injuries. The results of a minor stroke. The Hansing family credits the American Heart Association and the Oklahoma City Sweetheart program for raising awareness and supporting research that makes it possible of Oklahomans like Rick to share their stories of survival.