6 Dos and Don'ts When You Spot a Stroke

If you recognize symptoms of a stroke in yourself or someone else, you need to know what to do and not do so that the situation is not made any worse. The key is to stay focused and act quickly.

1. Do call 911 immediately. This is the most important thing to do during a stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that stroke treatments work best on individuals who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of the onset of symptoms, and they often experience less disability three months after a stroke than those who received delayed care. When you call 911, tell the dispatcher that you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke.
2. Do note the time of the onset of symptoms. Since certain treatments can only be administered during a specific timeframe from the onset of symptoms, knowing roughly when symptoms started can help emergency staff make a more informed decision on treatment options.
3. Do perform CPR, if needed. If you observe someone having a stroke and then falling unconscious, check for a pulse and breathing. If you find none, call 911 and start CPR while waiting for emergency help to arrive.
4. Don’t go to sleep. When a stroke first occurs, sudden sleepiness can set in. While it may be tempting to go to sleep in hopes of feeling better, this only delays necessary treatment. Instead, call 911 immediately.
5. Don’t take or give medication, food, or drinks. Taking certain medication, such as aspirin, can make a stroke worse. Also, a stroke can often affect the ability to swallow, so it’s best to avoid eating and drinking.
6. Don’t drive yourself or someone else to the emergency room. While you might think that driving yourself or someone else to the emergency room would be the fastest option, you should avoid doing so and wait for emergency responders to arrive, as they can begin lifesaving treatment upon their arrival.

Don’t Put Off Seeking Care During COVID-19

When a medical emergency occurs, the hospital is the safest and most important place to be—even during a pandemic. If you or someone you know has a stroke, do not hesitate to call 911 for fear of catching COVID-19. Likewise, do not put off post-stroke care such as physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Receiving prompt care for a stroke is essential for the best possible outcome.

Rest assured that Holy Cross Health continues to take all the necessary precautions to keep the communities we serve safe from COVID-19. Holy Cross Health has two Primary Stroke Centers that provide top-quality, award-winning stroke expertise to all stroke patients. Learn more about stroke and how we can help you or someone you know recover from a stroke.