The First Few Hours After a Stroke
When you have a stroke, time is crucial. If you have any stroke symptoms, call 119 to be transported to the hospital right away. Do not delay! Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. The earlier treatment is started after symptoms begin, the more likely you are to survive and recover. Your doctor can be alerted as you are traveling to the hospital. Any relatives or friends who were with you when your symptoms started should go with you to the hospital.
At the emergency room
In the hospital, a doctor will assess your symptoms and when they occurred. You will also be asked about your medical history. You’ll also be asked about your health and risk factors. If they are with you, family or friends can answer if you cannot. You will likely have blood tests. You may also have a CT scan or an MRI. This will help determine what kind of stroke you have. The two types are blockage (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). The type is important to know before treatment is started. This is because treatment that helps an ischemic stroke can kill a person who had a hemorrhagic stroke.
Acute-phase stroke treatment
Treatment can begin as soon as your doctor knows what type of stroke you had and where it occurred, Phase one begins from the first minutes to the first hours after you begin having symptoms. It involves one or more of the following, depending on what kind of stroke you have:
Symptoms of stroke
Call 119 right away if you have any of the following, even if the symptom seems to get better:
· Weakness in an arm, hand, or leg
· Numbness on one side of the body
· Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
· Sudden difficulty speaking
· Inability to understand what someone is saying
· Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
· Sudden, excruciating headache, unlike headaches you’ve had before, or a severe headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting
· Seizure
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke. When you see these signs, you will know that you need to call 119 fast.
F.A.S.T. stands for:
· F is for face drooping - One side of the face is drooping or numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven.
· A is for arm weakness - One arm is weak or numb. When the person lifts both arms at the same time one arm may drift downward.
· S is for speech difficulty - You may notice slurred speech or difficulty speaking. The person can't repeat a simple sentence correctly when asked.
· T is for time to call 119 - If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 119 immediately. Make note of the time the symptoms first appeared.
If you are at risk for having a stroke:
· Keep a list of important telephone numbers next to your phone. Include your doctor and relatives or friends you want to be contacted.
· Carry a list of all medicines you take, and the dosage of each, in your wallet. Include over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.
· Write a brief medical history, including any other medical problems you have had and the dates. Keep this with the medication list.
At the emergency room
In the hospital, a doctor will assess your symptoms and when they occurred. You will also be asked about your medical history. You’ll also be asked about your health and risk factors. If they are with you, family or friends can answer if you cannot. You will likely have blood tests. You may also have a CT scan or an MRI. This will help determine what kind of stroke you have. The two types are blockage (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). The type is important to know before treatment is started. This is because treatment that helps an ischemic stroke can kill a person who had a hemorrhagic stroke.
Acute-phase stroke treatment
Treatment can begin as soon as your doctor knows what type of stroke you had and where it occurred, Phase one begins from the first minutes to the first hours after you begin having symptoms. It involves one or more of the following, depending on what kind of stroke you have:
- Medicine to dissolve clots (ischemic)
- Medicine to prevent blood clots (ischemic)
- Tests to look for damage from the stroke
- Procedures to stop bleeding (hemorrhagic)
Symptoms of stroke
Call 119 right away if you have any of the following, even if the symptom seems to get better:
· Weakness in an arm, hand, or leg
· Numbness on one side of the body
· Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
· Sudden difficulty speaking
· Inability to understand what someone is saying
· Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
· Sudden, excruciating headache, unlike headaches you’ve had before, or a severe headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting
· Seizure
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke. When you see these signs, you will know that you need to call 119 fast.
F.A.S.T. stands for:
· F is for face drooping - One side of the face is drooping or numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven.
· A is for arm weakness - One arm is weak or numb. When the person lifts both arms at the same time one arm may drift downward.
· S is for speech difficulty - You may notice slurred speech or difficulty speaking. The person can't repeat a simple sentence correctly when asked.
· T is for time to call 119 - If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 119 immediately. Make note of the time the symptoms first appeared.
If you are at risk for having a stroke:
· Keep a list of important telephone numbers next to your phone. Include your doctor and relatives or friends you want to be contacted.
· Carry a list of all medicines you take, and the dosage of each, in your wallet. Include over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.
· Write a brief medical history, including any other medical problems you have had and the dates. Keep this with the medication list.
