Patient Spotlight

Meet dedicated stroke survivors whose disabilities do not keep them from having successful careers, pursuing lifelong goals and passions, caring for their families and educating others about the importance of stroke prevention.

Geraldine (Dina) Pagnotta, 35
New York, NY
Physical therapist and stroke survivor

Dina Pagnotta suffered a stroke five years ago, at an age when stroke is only a distant health risk for most people.  Dina’s experience emphasizes the fact that stroke, though primarily a health concern for older people, does not discriminate.

Dina was at a continuing education course when she began to experience slurred speech and weakness on the left side of her body.  Dina and her colleagues quickly recognized she was having a stroke, even though medical professionals who first treated her did not immediately identify her as a typical stroke patient because of her age.

The cause of Dina’s stroke was a patent foramen ovale (fuh-REY-muh n 'əuvəl) (PFO).  This small opening between the heart’s two upper chambers failed to close in infancy, as it does in most people.  The opening allowed blood to seep back into circulation before being properly filtered.  This enabled a small clot to enter the bloodstream and travel to Dina’s brain, causing a stroke. 

Dina was fortunate that she did not suffer lingering physical side effects from her stroke, however, she lived in fear that she would have another.  Dina has since had a procedure to close the PFO.

Dina’s experience with stroke empowered her to participate in and complete three New York City Marathons to create awareness about stroke and raise funds with National Stroke Association.

Dina is a member of the American Heart Association’s Young Professional Group, the founder of a stroke survivors support group specifically created for young patients, and an active advocate of stroke-related public education and awareness initiatives such as Second Chances.