Person suffering from stroke requires immediate attention. In such condition, the patient must receive the treatment immediately to increase the chances of survival and recovery. You must know the correct emergency stroke response to save someone’s life and avoid the risk of any disability.
Recognizing the Signs of a Stroke
Your first step in any emergency stroke condition is to respond and identify the symptoms. Remember the acronym FAST to identify stroke.
- F- Face drooping: Ask the patient to smile, if the one side of face droops, it may be the condition of stroke.
- A- Arm Weakness: Ask patient to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downwards, then it may be the symptom of stroke.
- S- Speech difficulty: Ask patient to repeat a simple sentence. Slurred or strange voice is a sign of stroke.
- T- Time to call for help: If any of these symptoms are present in the patient, you must dial emergency service number immediately.
Some other symptoms of stroke are difficulty in vision, sudden confusion, dizziness or an extreme headache.
Emergency Stroke Response – What to Do
Call emergency number immediately
If all symptoms are of stroke, dial the emergency number without any delay. Don’t wait for the symptom to improve. The sooner patient will get treatment, the better will be the results.
Keep the person comfortable and calm
- Allow patient to lie down with their head slightly elevated.
- Don’t let him eat or drink anything, as their swallowing may get affected.
- If the patient is conscious, assure and encourage him for steady breathing.
Check breathing and pulse
- In case of unconsciousness, check the patients breathing and pulse.
- In case of no breathing, you must continue with CPR until medical help arrives.
Note first symptom time
- It is important for a doctor to know the time of first symptom. Some stroke treatment like clot-busting medications is only effective if given within specific time period.
Don’t give any medications
- Don’t give any medications like aspirin, until advised by doctor.
- Sometimes stroke is caused due to bleeding in brain and in such condition, aspirin can worsen it.
Monitor their condition
- Note the changes in consciousness, breathing and symptoms
- Perform CPR in case of no breathing until paramedics arrive.
Immediate Stroke Treatment at the Hospital
Once the patient reaches hospital, neurologists and cardiac specialists will check their condition. The treatment will be based on the stroke type:
Ischemic Stroke:
- In this doctor may give clot-dissolving drugs if the patient reaches hospital within 3- 4.5 hours.
- In some situation, doctors may perform mechanical thrombectomy for clot removal.
Hemorrhagic Storke:
- In some situations, surgery is required to stop bleeding.
- Medications will be required to lower blood pressure and avoid complications
The Role of Cardiology Consultation in Stroke Care
As strokes are closely associated with cardiovascular health, a cardiology consultation becomes important in such condition. Stroke patients may face heart problem that needs to addressed properly. Cardiologists can find out risk factor with:
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeats
- Heart disease history
- Cholesterol level
By controlling these conditions, your cardiac specialists can minimize the possibility of further strokes.
Preventing Strokes in the Future
Although strokes can be a life-threatening disease, but it is preventable in many situations. Some measures can minimize its risk. These include:
- Keeping blood pressure in check
- Managing cholesterol levels
- Quit smoking and decrease alcohol consumption
- Maintaining healthy diet and regular exercise
Conclusion
A stroke is a medical emergency which should be treated immediately with emergency stroke response. Quick action can save the life of patient and improve recovery period. If you suspect stroke condition, immediately call on emergency number, and calm the patient. Your awareness
