Knowing how to respond to a stroke is important. This article covers recommended steps for responding quickly and appropriately with first aid in a stroke, which can help save someone’s life and support a better quality of life afterward.
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is a sudden event that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or ruptures, cutting off blood supply to the brain and causing brain cells to begin dying rapidly.
Below, we’ll cover what to do in the event of a stroke, along with some warning signs to watch for.
What to Do in the Event of a Stroke
Once someone begins showing signs of a stroke, it’s crucial to act as quickly as possible, since this is a neurological emergency. Knowing the right first-aid steps can make all the difference.
The first step is recognizing the signs that someone may be having a stroke, which include:
- Facial weakness: the person’s face may appear to droop or lose muscle tension.
- Arm weakness: the arms or legs lose strength and become difficult to move.
- Speech difficulty: the person has trouble speaking clearly or understanding what’s being said.
- Time to act: if you notice any one or more of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.
If you’re able to safely transport the person to the emergency room yourself, do so right away. But if you need to call emergency services (which is the recommended approach), there are also a few additional steps you can take to help the person in the meantime:
- Lay the person on their back in a safe place where they won’t fall and remove any nearby objects that could cause injury.
- Stay alert for the arrival of emergency responders and, if possible, try to clear a path so they can reach the person quickly.
- Avoid crowding around the person.
- Stay calm: keeping a level head is essential to responding effectively in this moment.
- If you have first aid training, you can check that the person’s pulse and breathing are normal.
Stroke Warning Signs and Complications
A stroke carries a high likelihood of causing temporary or permanent disability, depending largely on how long blood flow to the affected part of the brain was reduced or cut off. Some of the most common complications include:
- Paralysis: the person may lose muscle movement in part of the body, such as a limb or the face.
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing: reduced muscle control in the mouth and throat can lead to problems with speech, eating, or swallowing.
- Language difficulties: brain damage can sometimes affect language abilities, including speaking, understanding speech, reading, or writing.
- Memory loss: some degree of memory loss is common after a stroke.
- Difficulty thinking: some people also experience trouble thinking, reasoning, forming opinions, or understanding others.
- Emotional changes: some people may have difficulty regulating their emotions, and depression can also occur.
- Discomfort: pain, numbness, or unusual sensations in the affected part of the body.
- Behavioral changes: a person’s personality or behavior may change after a stroke.
- Difficulty with personal care: because of the above, some people may need help with personal hygiene and daily tasks.
How Can You Help Prevent a Stroke?
While a stroke happens suddenly, it usually develops gradually over time, meaning there are warning signs and risk factors people can be aware of and, in many cases, modify to help reduce their risk:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: this condition increases the risk of acute, subacute, or long-term neurological decline in patients who’ve had an ischemic stroke.
- Managing weight: people with obesity or who are overweight tend to have a higher risk of stroke.
- Diabetes: people living with poorly controlled diabetes often develop heart-related issues, which can increase the risk of a stroke.
- Lowering cholesterol and saturated fat intake: cutting back on foods high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat can help reduce arterial buildup, lowering the risk of a blocked artery.
- High blood pressure: managing high blood pressure is key to reducing the risk of stroke.
- Toxic substances: certain drugs or toxic substances can increase the risk of a stroke.
- Smoking: quitting smoking has a strong, positive impact on overall health, as does reducing exposure to secondhand smoke.
Recovery after a stroke depends on how quickly the person received medical care, which area of the brain was affected, and the type of rehabilitation received afterward.
Knowing how to help prevent a stroke is essential for maintaining good health, especially as people get older.
Recovery after a stroke looks different for everyone, so it’s important to talk to a doctor both to understand the prognosis and to support the best possible recovery.
At ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care, learn more about first aid for a stroke. Contact us!
