St Andrew Avellino the Patron Saint of Strokes

St Andrew the Apostle is not the only saint with the name Andrew as there is also Andrew Avellino, the patron saint of strokes. Andrew Avellino was born in the year 1521 in Castronuovo in the Italian province of Potenza as Lancelotto. Lancelotto became a lawyer but after a fib was let loose carelessly, Lancelotto became a priest, taking on the name Andrea or Andrew (after St Andrew the Apostle. Andrew Avellino was part of the Theatines, a cleric order of Pontifical Right of Men of the Catholic Church. As a Theatine priest, Andrew Avellino could visit the tombs of the Apostles and Martyrs in Rome and converted sinners and heretics. So why is Andrew Avellino the patron saints of strokes?
Well, he died of a stroke on 10 November 1608 during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A stroke is when poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death and the signs include loss of balance, dizziness, one side of the face drooping, arm or leg weakness, blurred vision, headache and speech difficulty. Andrew Avellino was beatified by Pope Urban VIII 16 years after his death and was canonized in 1712 by Pope Clement XI with his feast day occurring on 10 November.

How to help someone who is having a stroke?

While this page shouldn't be used as a substitute for medical advice, it is still vital to recognise the signs of a stroke. A stroke can happen to anyone so remember the signs:

  1. Loss of Balance 
  2. Dizziness
  3. One side of the face drooping
  4. Arm/ leg weakness
  5. Blurred vision
  6. Headache
  7. Speech difficulty

An easy way to remember the signs of a stroke is FAST which will go as follows:

 

If you spot most if not ALL OF THESE SIGNS, then contact the emergency service and request paramedics who will take the patient to the hospital.