'There was a bleed to the brain, so I was very, very fortunate'

Former England and Bath flanker Steve Ojomoh has given a startling account of his stroke and explained how lucky he is to have survived having spent time in intensive care.

Speaking to the BBC the 12-times capped Ojomoh, who played four times at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, revealed how he’s had to completely change his lifestyle in the aftermath.

A fans favourite at the Rec, he was part of a hugely successful side in the early 1990’s winning five league titles with the club.

Ojomoh also played for Gloucester, Italian club Parma and had a stint in Wales with Newport.

He recounted what happened.

“I remember there was a fizz noise, it was like looking directly at the sun and I felt blinded, and then, two minutes later, the headaches started,” he said.

“I had crawled upstairs on all fours to my son’s room and said ‘you need to get me to RUH’ (Royal United Hospitals Bath). They acted straight away, and an ambulance took me to Southmead” the 48-year-old told the BBC.

“I was in good hands. The care I had saved me. There was a bleed to the brain, so I was very, very fortunate,” he said.

Ojomoh’s systolic blood pressure had gone as high as 220 when he suffered the stroke.

“Moving forward, I have got a blood pressure machine that I check twice a day. I was shocked. It (blood pressure) was the last thing on my mind.

Ojomoh spoke about the alterations he’s had to make since his time in hospital.

“I was eating as if I was still playing sometimes, eating a lot of carbs and not burning them off.

“Now (since the stroke) my lifestyle has changed. My gin bar is now obsolete! That’s the first thing that’s had to change. And I’m eating a lot more vegetables.

“I’m walking a lot more, not just relying on the car. It’s about exercise and eating the right food, plus no more bingeing.”

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