The stroke was caused by a tiny fragment of cartilage from her spine that chipped off and blocked blood flow, according to major media reports. Paramedics initially thought she was having a panic attack, the same sources indicate. According to Daily Mail - Health, Waller described the paramedics' assessment, saying she believed them but found it puzzling because she is not an anxious person and was happy planning her wedding.
She also recounted that after a 30-minute call, she felt unwell with pins and needles in her arms, and her hands started curling, making it impossible to hold a glass of water, signaling something was seriously wrong. Spinal strokes are less common than strokes in the brain but can be equally or more serious, often carrying a higher risk of long-term mobility challenges, according to Dr. Steve Allder.
Waller's current medical condition, recovery status, and long-term prognosis remain unknown, as do details about her specific treatment at Charing Cross Hospital and the length of her hospitalization. It is also unclear if there were any pre-existing conditions or risk factors that contributed to the spinal stroke.