Stroke

Area of brain deprived of blood
Blood clot getting stuck in the brain blood vessel
Blood unable to pass clot A Stroke is a small blockage in a blood vessel of the brain, which causes oxygen starvation to that part. This oxygen starvation can cause a loss of function, related to the area of the brain affected. Dependent on the length of time the area is blocked, the damage may become irreparable. The blockage is usually caused by a small blood clot, although incursions such as air bubbles can have the same effect. There are two main types of stroke -

CVA (Cerebro-vascular Accident - sometimes called just a stroke or major stroke)
TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack - sometimes called a mini-stroke).

The difference between a CVA and a TIA is simply the duration of the symptoms. Most symptoms of a TIA disappear within an hour, although they may last for up to 24 hours. If the symptoms persist, then it is categorized as a stroke. Obviously, for the purposes of first aid, these must be treated in the same way, since waiting 24 hours for symptoms to pass in order to tell CVA and TIA apart would not meet the purposes of first aid. Please watch the following video from Khan Academy that describes the two types of strokes.

The key recognition signs for a stroke can be remembered with the acronym FAST, which stands for:

Facial Weakness - Can the person smile correctly? Observe if one side of the face droops.
Arm Weakness- Can the person raise both arms and hold them parallel without one drifting? If they squeeze your hands can they exert equal force?
Speech problems - Can the person speak clearly and repeat a simple sentence correctly?
Time -Time is critical. Call the local emergency medical services phone number or take the patient to the hospital immediately.

The victim may also experience additional symptoms, which on their own typically do not indicate a stroke. These include:

Sudden blurred, dim or patchy vision
Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe, unusual headache

Treatment

Remember. All the damage is done in the first few seconds and minutes.

Conscious Victim

Unconscious Victim

Call 9-1-1 Reassure and comfort the victim

Encourage and facilitate the victim to move in to a position of comfort if possible. If they have significant paralysis, they may be unable to move themselves, so you should make them as comfortable as possible where they are. If possible, incline them to the unaffected side (if there is one), as this will help you relieve some symptoms such as a feeling of floating. Monitor ABC's.

Do not give victim anything to eat or drink

Call 9-1-1

Assess the victim's ABCs and give care for life-threatening conditions

Assist the victim into the recovery position to allow fluids to drain from the mouth.

Monitor breathing and changes in condition.

Stroke Review

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