When a person is having a stroke, every second count. What you do in those crucial moments can potentially calm down the situation

A stroke can be described as a brain attack – part of the brain is robbed of the oxygen and blood supply it needs to function

When a person is having a stroke, every second count. What you do in those crucial moments can potentially calm down the situation and help the patient.

A stroke can be described as a brain attack – part of the brain is robbed of the oxygen and blood supply it needs to function. This happens because of a possible blood clot or bursts. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the more brain damage can occur.

Talking about the symptoms, Dr. Shirish M Hastak, Regional Director, Neurology, Stroke & Neurocritical Care, Global Hospital told Opoyi, “The symptoms will be facial drooping, and drifting arms, speech problems then a timely intervention is needed for getting back on track.”

He added, “If you notice symptoms of stroke-act FAST. ‘F’ stands for face, ‘A’ stands for arm, ‘S’ stands for speech and ‘T’ stands for time. So, act FAST. See that the patient receives treatment during the window period of 4.5 hours. Delaying in treatment may be lead to a lifetime of disability. So, act FAST.”

“For each minute lost without treatment, the brain loses 1.9 million nerve cells, and for each hour lost without treatment brain ages by 3.6 years,” said Dr. Prashant Makhija, Consultant Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central.

“In the management of stroke patients, time is the brain. It is therefore important to recognise stroke symptoms; suspect stroke whenever you notice someone having a sudden onset of (BEFAST) ‘B’- the trouble with balance ‘E’- vision loss ‘F’- deviation of face ‘A’ – arm weakness ‘S’- slurring of speech ‘T’ – time to act fast. In such a situation immediately rush the patient to a stroke ready hospital; timely management can not only reverse the patient’s deficits but can also be lifesaving,” said Makhija.

Also three basic things you should do when someone is having a stroke are:

–        Call 911 immediately

–        Note the time you first see symptoms

–        Perform CPR, if necessary

Source: https://opoyi.com/first-steps-if-you-think-someone-is-having-a-stroke