A young woman woke up with a severe headache after a night out with friends and tragically passed away a few days later after taking paracetamol, mistaking her symptoms for a typical hangover. Áine Rose Hurst, 19, ignored the pain initially, unaware that she had a dangerous blood clot in her brain. Within 48 hours, she succumbed to the condition, leaving her mother, Kerry, devastated. Kerry is now sharing her story to caution other young women about the deceptive nature of what seemed like a common hangover.
Initially dismissing the headache in early March as a post-party effect, Áine sought her mother’s help when the discomfort persisted. Kerry provided her with paracetamol and advised her to rest, never anticipating the tragic outcome. As Áine’s condition deteriorated rapidly, an emergency call was made to 111, leading to her immediate hospitalization.
Medical examinations later revealed that Áine had suffered from a rare blood clot known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Despite efforts to save her, she passed away on March 13, 2025, with her mother by her side. The family learned that the contraceptive pill Áine had been using was potentially linked to the tragic event.
Following a routine check in December 2024, where high blood pressure was detected, Áine was taken off the pill. However, she resumed taking it in January 2025 after her blood pressure normalized, as advised by medical professionals. Tragically, this decision may have contributed to her untimely death due to a blood clot.
In the wake of this devastating loss, Kerry and her husband Graham have established the Áine Rose Contraceptive Safety Foundation (ARCS) to raise awareness of the risks associated with certain medications. Kerry emphasized that while nothing can bring Áine back, they hope that sharing her story will prevent similar tragedies and protect other young women from potential dangers associated with contraceptive pills.
Doctors stress that blood clots related to hormonal contraception are uncommon but emphasize the importance of monitoring blood pressure and other risk factors. By sharing Áine’s story, her family aims to caution others against dismissing severe headaches as mere hangover symptoms, potentially saving lives in the process.