Virtua Doctor Recovers From Stroke Related To Coronavirus

A doctor in Virtua Health’s Cardiology is recovering from a stroke that was likely related to new coronavirus, according to the health system.

A blood clot traveled to the vertebral artery in Dr. Troy Randle’s neck, leading to damage in his cerebellum. Two weeks earlier, the Mullica Hill resident displayed some symptoms of the coronavirus, including a slight cough, body aches, and fever. He had a recurring headache that was his primary concern.

“When I was first diagnosed with COVID-19, I had a strong, sudden headache that continued for two days. It abated for a bit as I recovered from the virus, but one day came back even worse than before,” Randle said. “My wife insisted on taking me to the emergency room; she may have saved my life.”

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Randle’s experience is consistent with other such cases across the country. Mount Sinai Health System in New York treated five people who tested positive for the coronavirus for strokes, according to CNN. All were under the age of 50 and had either mild infections or no symptoms at all. Randle is 49 years old.

Last week, The Washington Post reported the emergence of mysterious blood-clotting in patients who tested positive for the coronavirus. Experts suspect that similar, but larger, clots go off course and travel to the brain or heart, resulting in a stroke or heart attack for some COVID-19 patients.

“My story fits a larger trend,” Randle said. “Only I am fortunate enough to survive and to not suffer any significant effects from the stroke.”

“Each day we learn more about this virus. Initially, much of the general conversation was about how it spreads. Now the focus is on what it does — and what it is capable of doing — once someone is infected,” said Dr. Martin Topiel, head of infectious diseases for Virtua Health. “It is too early to say for sure, but clots in the blood vessels are emerging as one of the leading causes of death and serious harm connected to COVID-19.”

Following his recovery, Randle applied for a research grant from the American Heart Association in hopes of participating in studies on the short- and long-term heart and vascular effects of the coronavirus. He hopes that he can help contribute to the collective understanding of this “atypical” virus, both as a doctor and a survivor.

“COVID-19 seems to vary greatly from person to person — and now stroke symptoms are in the mix,” Randle said. “I encourage everyone to closely monitor their health, take note of their symptoms, and seek medical attention when necessary.”

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know