When it comes to strokes, getting help within the first few minutes is crucial. So it is important for people to be aware of stroke first aid tips because this information can potentially save a life.
How to Treat a Stroke: First Aid Tips
A stroke is a serious medical emergency. While it is true that strokes need to be treated at a hospital, there are things that you can do to help increase a stroke patient’s survival.
Here are 5 important stroke first aid tips:
1. Don’t panic
If you think that someone might be having a stroke, don’t panic. You need to stay alert and be aware of what’s happening if you want to save their life.
A good way to know if someone is indeed having a stroke is to remember the acronym F.A.S.T.
- Face – Check if their face is drooping to one side.
- Arms – If they are able to raise both their arms, check to see if one is higher than the other. This can be a sign of a stroke.
- Speech – Is their speech slurred, or are they having difficulty talking?
- Time – Take note of how long they have been experiencing these symptoms.
2. Call 911 or the national emergency hotline
The next thing you need to do would be to call 911 or any emergency hotline as soon as possible. You can also ask for help from the people around you if you’re not able to call for help.
It would also be a good idea to not take them directly to the emergency room. This is because paramedics can start treatment as soon as they arrive. But if you drive them to the hospital, they can lose precious few minutes that are important to their survival.
It’s also a good idea to always keep your phone handy, and put emergency numbers on speed dial. This can help you get help quickly, which is very important since time is of the essence when it comes to a stroke.
3. Take note of the time
One important stroke first aid tip is to take note of what time the patient had a stroke. This is because certain medications used on stroke patients are only effective 4.5 hours after the stroke started.
Taking note of the time can also help doctors gauge how serious the patient’s stroke is. If possible, it would also be a good idea to take note of what time certain symptoms had started to appear. This information can help doctors better understand the patient’s condition so that they can take the necessary steps to save the patient’s life.
4. Perform CPR if necessary
If you have had CPR training, you can perform CPR if the patient needs it. This is usually the case if the patient is unconscious or suddenly loses consciousness.
Don’t be afraid if you aren’t trained in doing CPR; you can call an emergency hotline and the operator will guide you through what you need to do.
It would also be a good idea to seek CPR or first aid training beforehand. It’s a life-saving skill that everyone should learn.
