A stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK. It is also the leading cause of severe disability More than 250,000 people live with disabilities caused by stroke. It is important to know exactly what to do if someone close suffers from a stroke, in order to get him the best possible help and support as quickly as possible.
A stroke is a medical emergency. Recognising a stroke and calling 999 (911 in the US) for an ambulance is crucial. The sooner someone who's had a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better his chances of a good recovery. Ambulance staff are trained to assess patients with suspected stroke and take them to an appropriate hospital.
Causes of Strokes
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel.
Types of Stroke
There are two types of stroke, which require different types of treatment:
Ischaemic strokeis the most common type, causing 17 out of every 20 cases of stroke. A blood clot or piece of fatty material blocks an artery, restricting the amount of blood and oxygen that can reach the brain.
Haemorrhagic strokeis less common and is caused by a weakened artery bursting, allowing blood to seep out of the artery wall. The blood damages the brain tissue by pressing on it, and at the same time other brain cells can be damaged because they’re not receiving enough oxygen.
The symptoms of stroke
To help people recognise the symptoms of stroke quickly, The Stroke Association has funded research to use by paramedics to diagnose stroke prior to a person being admitted to hospital. By diagnosing the possibility of stroke before reaching hospital, it is possible for appropriate referral to a stroke unit to be made as quickly as possible.
What is FAST?
FAST requires an assessment of three specific symptoms of stroke:
- Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has his mouth or eye drooped?
- Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms?
- Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
- Time to call an ambulance.
If the person has failed any one of these tests, it is important to seek medical support as soon as possible. Prompt action can prevent further damage to the brain and help someone make a full recovery. Delay can result in death or major long-term disabilities, such as paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems.
TIA
A Transient Attack, or TIA is similar to a full stroke but the symptoms may only last a few minutes and will have completely gone within 24 hours. Don't ignore it. See a doctor as soon as possible and ask to be referred to a specialist stroke service. This should happen within seven days.
Source:
The UK Stroke Association
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