First Aid for Stroke

1. Check the patient’s consciousness: If the patient is unconscious and breathing normally, or not fully alert, place the patient in a supported position.

If the patient is conscious, check

Face: whether the patient’s face droops on one side.

Arms: Check whether one Arm is hanging down than the other.

Speech: Check whether the patient is struggling/ slurred speech.

Time: If the person shows any of the above symptoms, it’s time to call immediate  VMEDO.

2. 2. Care for the conscious patient: Help the patient to get the greatest comfort. Cover the patient’s body to reduce heat loss.

• Call for VMEDO ambulance:

During the stroke, every minute counts so it is important to call VMEDO Ambulance helpline 09343180000 to get hospital immediately because stroke treatment must be started within 1 hour.

• Observe the patient: While waiting for the ambulance check the patient closely for any change in condition & try to keep the person cool or apply cold wet clothes or ice packs to the armpits & neck. But never give them anything to drink or eat which may become difficult for them to swallow & it may cause choke too.

Causes of Stroke:

1. Blocked artery.
2. Embolism
3. High Blood Pressure
4. Diabetes
5. Smoking & high cholesterol
6. Heart disease
7. Age
8. Migraine Headaches.

Symptoms of Stroke:

1. Numbness or Weakness on one side of the body especially in the leg, face & arms.
2. Blurred vision.
3. Difficulty or slurred speech.
4. Sudden & very severe headache.
5. Sudden loss of consciousness.
6. Sudden trouble in walking, & dizziness.

Prevention Of Stroke

Certain factors can’t prevent the risk factors including age, Gender, Family History, Ethnicity. But luckily, you can do something if you identify personal factors that could increase your risk of having a stroke.

The Risk factors include:

1. Diet: The best way to prevent a stroke is to exercise regularly, eat the healthy diet including low-fat & high fiber diet.
2. Quit Smoking: Smoking damages arteries & makes your blood fat or clot. Encourage patient and family to stop smoking.
3. Diabetes: Improve glucose control. Treat hypertension.
4. Physical inactivity: Encourage moderate exercise (e.g., brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or other aerobic activity).
5. Alcohol: Drinking too much can increase the risk of stroke. So patients should limit their alcohol consumption.

Types of Stroke:

1. Ischemic stroke: Almost 85% of the strokes are the ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused by clotting of blood in the artery & which blocks the supply of blood & oxygen to some part of the brain. High blood pressure is the main risk factor for ischemic stroke.

2. Hemorrhagic stroke: Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the artery of the brain leaks blood, & this causes pressure on brain cells & finally it damages the cells. Uncontrollable High blood pressure is the risk factor for Hemorrhagic stroke.

3. Transient Ischemic attack: It is also called as “mini-stroke”. In this type of stroke, blood flow to the part of the brain is blocked for a short time usually within 5 minutes. The symptoms of Transient ischemic stroke is the warning to Ischemic stroke. So Never ignore them.

Medical treatment to cure Stroke:

Although there is no cure for stroke, advanced medical treatments are now available depending on the type of attack, which is giving hope for many stroke victims for optimal recovery.

Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA): This treatment is for ischemic strokes also called as TPA. TPA works by dissolving the blood clot and in turn improves the blood flow to the brain. If the victim is administered within 3 hours after the attack, TPA may improve the chances of recovering from the stroke.

Endovascular Procedures
Endovascular procedures are used to treat certain hemorrhagic strokes. These procedures are less invasive than surgical treatments.

Surgical Treatment
For hemorrhagic stroke, surgical treatment may be done to stop the bleeding. If the bleed is caused by swelling of the vessel, a metal clip may be placed surgically at the base of an aneurysm to secure it.

Thrombolysis: Thrombosis, or thrombolytic therapy, is a treatment to dissolve blood clots in blood vessels, & it improves the blood flow, & prevents tissues and organs from damage.

Also Read: 6 critical skills you should have when giving first aid for the heart attack

Frequently Asking Questions About Stroke

• What is Stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood supply is blocked to the part of the brain which causes brain tissue deprived of oxygen leads to cells death within a few minutes.

• Describe the risk factors of Stroke?

Certain factors can’t prevent the risk factors including age, Gender, Family History, Ethnicity. But luckily, you can do something if you identify personal factors that could increase your risk of having a stroke.

1. Blocked artery.
2. Embolism
3. High Blood Pressure
4. Diabetes
5. Smoking & high cholesterol
6. Heart disease
7. Age
8. Migraine Headaches.

• Give the brief description of the types of Stroke?

There are 3 types of Stroke:

1. Ischemic strokes: Almost 85% of the strokes are the ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused by clotting of blood in the artery & which blocks the supply of blood & oxygen to some part of the brain. High blood pressure is the main risk factor for ischemic stroke.
2. Hemorrhagic stroke: Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the artery of the brain leaks blood, & this causes pressure on brain cells & finally it damages the cells. Uncontrollable High blood pressure is the risk factor for Hemorrhagic stroke.
3. Transient Ischemic attack: It is also called as “mini-stroke”. In this type of stroke, blood flow to the part of the brain is blocked for only a short time (not more than 5 minutes). The symptoms of Transient ischemic stroke is the warning to Ischemic stroke. So Never ignore them.

4. What are the warning signs & symptoms of Stroke?

1. Numbness or Weakness on one side of the body especially in leg, face & arms.
2. Blurred vision.
3. Difficulty or slurred speech.
4. Sudden & very severe headache.
5. Sudden loss of consciousness.
6. Sudden trouble in walking, & dizziness.

5. What is a Mini- Stroke?
It is also called as “mini-stroke”. In this type of stroke, blood flow to the part of the brain is blocked for a short time usually within 5 minutes. The symptoms of Transient ischemic stroke is the warning to Ischemic stroke. So Never ignore them.

6. How can I recognize the symptoms of a stroke for someone?

A simple test can be helpful to recognize the stroke symptoms:

If the patient is conscious, check

Face: whether the patient’s face droops on one side.

Arms: Check whether one Arm is hanging down than the other.

Speech: Check whether the patient is struggling/ slurred to speech.

Time: If the person shows any of the above single symptoms, it’s time to call immediate 093431 80000 VMEDO Ambulance.

If you are looking for first aid, CPR, AED, and Basic Life Support training program  Click here and Register.