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Stroke is a serious medical emergency, claiming millions of lives worldwide. It occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted causing irreversible damage. In this condition, prompt action is crucial as every minute counts. Delayed treatment increases the risk of disability, cognitive impairment and death. Recognising signs and acting F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) can save lives, making awareness and swift response critical.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Manoj Khanal, Director, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh explained some common signs and symptoms of stroke along with some immediate actions that must be taken if someone suspects a stroke.

Symptoms And Signs Of Stroke

  •        Balancing problems or difficulty in balancing
  •        Eye symptoms like diminished vision or hemianopia
  •        Facial weakness or numbness
  •        Arm and leg weakness and numbness
  •        Speech impairment like speech arrest aphasia or dysarthria
  •        Vertigo
  •        Memory loss
  •        Hearing impairment.
  •        Loss of consciousness
  •        Headache
  •        Vomiting
  •        Seizure

Immediate Actions That Should Be Taken-

Prehospital management

Early identification of stroke symptoms by simple Cincinnati scale (ACT FAST) - F for facial weakness; A for arm weakness; S for speech impairment and T for time.

The identification of early signs and symptoms of stroke is very important and if anyone notices such symptoms, one should call the ambulance and shift the patient immediately to stroke ready nearest hospital that has facilities for CT scans and ICU care for immediate stroke management.

Airway and breathing care and circulation maintenance are very important parts of stroke management while reaching till hospital.

Keep the patient away from harm’s way till the paramedics reach the spot.

Don’t apply any water on the face or mouth.

Keep the patient side turned and away from fire, water or any machinery work if he is paralysed and unable to walk.

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Stroke can lead to disability in individuals (Image Credits: Canva)

Hospital management

As soon as the patient reaches the hospital the patient is received in triage and the stroke team is activated.

The NIHSS scale is used to look for the severity of stroke. The patient is reassessed for weakness and disability by the stroke team.

If MRI and CT head show an evolving stroke then intravenous thrombolysis is being started within a period of 1 hour (golden period). The patient is reassessed and planned for DSA for mechanical thrombectomy if there is a large artery stroke or non-responsive to intravenous thrombolysis.

The patient is given aspirin 24 hours post thrombolysis. The patient is started on statins, vitamins and other measures to control blood pressure; sugar and other metabolic parameters, if any.

The patient is started on physiotherapy, speech and occupational therapy as per the needs of the patient.

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