First Aid Procedure for Stroke
A person has a stroke when his brain’s blood supply is reduced or suddenly cut off, and the brain cells begin to die. Anyone can have a stroke, especially people who smoke, are diabetic, or have high blood pressure. They are most common in elderly people. Pregnant women who develop preeclampsia have a very high risk of having a stroke. This condition is characterized by a sudden extreme rise in blood pressure, and affects both mother and the fetus.
Symptoms of a stroke can range from mild to severe, depending on the type. A stroke can be fatal. A person who has any symptoms of a stroke must be evaluated and treated as quickly as possible to minimize brain damage and physical disabilities.
The main symptoms of a stroke are sudden headache, confusion, difficulty speaking, and numbness in the face, arm or leg on one side of a person’s body. A person suffering a stroke may also lose his balance, have difficulty walking, and lose his vision in one or both eyes. Women may have additional symptoms, such as chest pain, nausea, hiccups and shortness of breath.
If you are with someone who you suspect may be having a stroke, the National Stroke Association recommends that you act quickly and follow the F.A.S.T. procedure:
- F – Check the Face by asking the victim to smile. If one side of his face sags, he may be having a stroke.
- A – Ask the victim to raise both of his Arms. If one arm begins to droop down to the body's side, the victim may be having a stroke.
- S – Listen to the victim's Speech. He may be having a stroke if his speech is slurred or unintelligible.
- T – Note the Time the symptoms started, and call 911 immediately. Do not wait to see if the symptoms stop or lessen. Ideally, a stroke victim should begin treatment within one hour of the first symptoms.
While you are waiting for help to arrive, you should administer basic first aid. Check to make sure the victim is breathing; if they are not, begin CPR. If you do not know CPR, push on the victim’s chest at least 100 times per minute. The victim’s chest should be compressed by at least two inches every time you press down.
If the person is vomiting, position him on his side with his arm under his head so that he doesn’t choke. If the victim is not vomiting, position him on his back. Do not allow the victim to have anything to eat or drink. If the 911 operator asked you to stay on the line, follow his/her instructions.
If the victim’s symptoms subside and he appears to be back to normal, do not allow him to resume any normal activity. Keep him comfortable in a prone position until help arrives. He may have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a warning stroke or mini-stroke. A TIA can be a precursor to a more severe stroke.
Once the victim has been transported to the hospital, emergency room personnel can determine what type of stroke the victim has had. The most common type is the ischemic stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot from another part of the body breaks free and travels to blood vessels and arteries around the brain blocking the blood flow. Another type is the hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by a blood vessel bursting in the brain.
The treatment recommended by the American Stroke Association for all types of strokes is to administer tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) medication. The drug breaks up blood clots in the body, and is most effective when given to the victim within three hours of the first symptoms occurring and within one hour of arriving at the emergency room.