Stroke - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

Overview

• Stroke is also called 'Cerebrovascular Accident' 
• It is an acute neurological injury 
• It may be due to blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic) 
• Leads to stoppage of blood supply to a part of brain 
• Oxygen supply is decreased 
• This initiates 'ischemic cascade'-causes brain cell death/damage 
• This results in a cerebral stroke 

Causes/Risks

• High Blood Pressure 
• Diabetes 
• Cigarette smoking 
• Heart Disease 

Symptoms

• Numbness/weakness of an arm/leg/face/one side of body 
• Sudden confusion in speaking/understanding speech 
• Impaired vision in one or both eyes 
• Sudden headache 
• Loss of balance/co-ordination 
• Dizziness 

Treatment

• If you suspect stroke, call emergency medical help 
• Reassure the patient 
• Lay the patient down with head and shoulders slightly elevated 
• If patient is not breathing well do a CPR 
• Place the patient on the left side if breathing/not responsive 
• Keep the chin slightly extended 

Steps To Avoid

• Never give a suspected stroke victim anything to eat/drink 
• Do not permit the victim to move 

Prevention

• Do regular checkups for BP 
• Eat food with less salt 
• Exercise regularly 
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet 
• Take the BP pills regularly