Reacting promptly to a stroke is the best way to reduce the damage this event causes to the victim. Since the blood and oxygen supply to the brain is cut off during a stroke, it is imperative to quickly restore blood flow to this organ, as the outcome could be fatal. Look for warning signs and take steps to make available to medical personnel as soon as they intervene, so that the person's life can be saved.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Stroke
Step 1. Learn about the two types of stroke
The most common, which accounts for more than 90% of cases, is ischemic stroke. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain that typically occurs when plaques in the carotid arteries break off and travel through the blood system. They move along blood vessels until one is blocked and blood supply to a part of the brain is prevented. Depending on the function of the affected area of the brain (for example, speech, walking or movement of half of the body), the stroke victim exhibits a wide variety of symptoms.
- The other, less common type is caused by bleeding in the brain and is called a hemorrhagic stroke. It is the result of an aneurysm, when one or more blood vessels dilate until they burst. This type of stroke, although rare, causes the worst headache ever experienced.
- It is important to distinguish the two types, because the majority of victims may not experience any pain. This very absence of pain can delay diagnosis and treatment, leading to devastating and lasting neurological damage or even death.
Step 2. Look for facial changes
It is important to recognize stroke symptoms early to ensure a favorable prognosis. Doctors use the English acronym FAST to remember what to look for in suspected stroke cases and how to react promptly. F. stands for "face", which means you have to observe if part of the face is sagging. Observe the victim to see if one side of the face is dangling or falling down; ask her to smile, the side affected by the neurological damage should not move upwards as much as the healthy side.
You can also ask the person to raise their eyebrows, you will notice that the injured side does not respond to the command
Step 3. Check for arm weakness
The letter TO of FAST indicates "arm" (arm), you must therefore observe the absence of muscle strength in the limb. Ask the victim to raise both arms in front of him to shoulder height. Gently push them down and ask the person to resist. He should be able to move his arms even if he is having a stroke, but the affected arm should fall back down to your pressure, because it is too weak.
If the individual cannot lift an arm or if it hangs lower than the healthy one, it means that there is weakness in the limb
Step 4. Pay attention to how he speaks
The letter S. reminds you to monitor the "speech", ie the ability to speak, looking for difficulties or alterations. See if the victim has trouble articulating words, mumbles, or can't make any sound that makes sense. Ask her to repeat a word or say her name. The combination of these issues indicates dysarthria and means that a stroke is occurring.
If she can say her name but you are still worried, ask her to repeat a simple phrase like "Roses are red"; see if he can do this and pay attention to any slurred terms
Step 5. React in time
The letter T. stands for "time" and reminds you to act promptly when symptoms show. The time factor is the most important when it comes to stroke, because the longer you wait, the more damage to vital organs. Act as quickly as possible to make sure the victim is treated quickly enough to reduce the risk of serious consequences.
Step 6. Look for other signs
While the acronym FAST is perfect for helping you monitor stroke, there are other signs you need to look for to assess the situation. The victim may be confused or have difficulty understanding your directions. Additionally, she may not see well in one or both eyes, be unable to walk, feel lightheaded, unstable, and out of coordination.
Step 7. Recognize Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
This disorder, also called "mini-stroke", differs from actual stroke only in that it is "transient" - the obstruction of the blood vessel is momentary and causes no permanent damage. Symptoms of TIA come on quickly and last for about a minute. If you suffer from them, you should consider them as a serious warning sign for a possible stroke in the future. About a third of the population who have suffered from TIA will have a stroke within a year.
- The signs of a transient ischemic attack are the same as for a stroke, but they resolve in less than five minutes.
- Don't wait to see if stroke signs subside. You should call 911 immediately as soon as you notice symptoms, even if they turn out to be caused by a TIA.
- If you have symptoms that are compatible with a transient ischemic attack, talk to your doctor to understand what changes to make to your lifestyle and make sure you don't suffer from a stroke.
Part 2 of 2: Calling the Emergency Services
Step 1. Call 118 immediately
As soon as you realize that a person is having a stroke (or even you just think they are having it), you need to call the ambulance right away (118). Communicate to the operator that there is a stroke victim, this way you allow the healthcare staff to prepare all the necessary equipment and to know what to expect at the scene of the accident. Don't hesitate lest you appear too anxious or make mistakes. For every minute that the brain spends without oxygen, the chances of the neurological deficit becoming permanent increase.
- If the area of the brain affected by the stroke expands and breathing areas are affected, the wait will be fatal.
- The goal is to deliver the tissue plasminogen activator - or t-PA, a "life-saving" thrombolytic drug - within 60 minutes or less of the patient being treated by healthcare professionals. This means there is no time to hesitate; among victims who were treated with t-PA within an hour or less of symptom onset, there was the highest rate of rapid hospital discharge relative to long-term stays in a rehabilitation facility (a cause of severe neurological damage) or deaths.
Step 2. Ask the patient when symptoms started
While on the phone with the healthcare provider, ask the victim when they noticed the first signs of a stroke. You must gather information about the onset of the disorder to report to medical personnel. The operator will stay on the line while you try to learn about the symptoms and timing.
Also ask if the person has a severe headache and report it to the operator. This is the symptom that makes it possible to distinguish the two types of stroke
Step 3. Collect the medical history
You need to ask the patient a series of questions about his or her state of health. Ask him if he has had a stroke in the past, if he has suffered from heart problems, such as heart attack, high blood pressure or arterial disease. Find out if you have diabetes, blood disorders, recent surgery, or liver disease.
Try to get the information as best you can if the patient is suffering from dysarthria. You need all the information you can gather
Step 4. Ask questions about medications
While you wait for the ambulance to arrive, you need to understand what drug therapies the victim is on. Ask her if she takes aspirin, blood thinners, and antiplatelet agents. Find out if you are taking insulin, antihypertensives, or other prescription medications for chronic conditions.
- You should also try to figure out if he takes any illegal drugs and how much alcohol he consumes.
- If you can, try to get his medicine bottle. In this way, you can give doctors and rescuers important information about possible contraindications to the administration of thrombolytic drugs.
- Keep her talking and keep her alert until help arrives.
