Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of the following major stroke
warning signs occur:
- Sudden weakness or numbness that occurs in the face, arm or
leg, particularly on one side of the body.
- Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or difficulty
understanding. May have slurred speech or confused speech.
- Sudden problems with walking, dizziness; a loss of balance or
coordination
- Sudden, severe headache, the cause of which is unknown
Getting to the hospital for appropriate treatment is best when
using the 911 system.
A stroke is a medical emergency
It is important to realize that stroke warning symptoms are the
signs of an emergency. For every minute that brain cells are
deprived of oxygen during a stroke, brain damage increases. Also,
the chances for survival and recovery are much better when the
right treatment begins within the first few hours of noticing
stroke symptoms.
How to help a stroke victim
While you are waiting for an emergency vehicle to arrive, you (or
the person with the stroke symptoms) should lie down. Watch the
person suspected of having a stroke and lift the chin to open the
airway. Check for breathing and pulse. If necessary, perform
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
If the person is breathing but unconscious, roll him or her onto
his or her side. (Do not move the person if you suspect a head,
neck, or back injury.)
If the person is conscious, try to reassure and comfort him or
her. Loosen constricting clothing or jewelry. If the person is
having difficulty swallowing, try to turn him or her onto the side.
Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
References
- National Stroke Association. Warning Signs of Stroke.
www.stroke.org/ Accessed 2/6/2012
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke. NINDS Stroke Information Page.
www.ninds.nih.gov/ Accessed 2/16/2012
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Consumer Education: Know the Facts About Stroke
www.cdc.gov/ Accessed 2/16/2012