Stack’s gratitude prompted her to share her story in several ways, reasoning that it could help others learn how to prevent, deal with and recover from strokes.

Vitality, a North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center publication, featured her after she had the first stroke. She also began sharing her experiences with others at a support group called the Stroke Life Society.

Stack explained that most members of the group are much older than she is, and she was happy to meet Carolyn Fanning, 28, when they appeared on “The Dr. Oz Show” together. The pair discussed their experiences while Oz and Gupta described how consistent migraine headaches and drinking sugary drinks could be risk factors for strokes.

Stack said she learned that 30 percent of young people don’t get answers as to why they have strokes, and she isn’t sure if and when she will. Regardless, she said it is important that young women –– and those of both sexes and all ages –– know what they can do to protect themselves in the event of a stroke.

“I feel like part of my responsibility is to educate people and let people know what the risk factors are and what to do in this situation,” she said. “I know I didn’t realize this could happen to someone who was so young and so healthy.”

The warning

signs

According to the National Stroke

Association, the warning signs of a stroke include:

•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

•Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.

•Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

•Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

•Severe headache with no known cause.