Quick Access To Hospital Care: Stroke Treatment Essentials

Stroke is a medical emergency, and almost 2 million brain cells die every minute it goes untreated. Therefore, if you or someone close to you is experiencing a stroke, it is imperative to act fast and get to the hospital as soon as possible. Calling an ambulance is crucial, as paramedics can begin collecting information and communicating with the hospital, saving valuable time. Recognizing the signs of a stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties, is essential to ensure prompt action and improve the chances of recovery.

Call 911 immediately

If you or someone close to you is showing signs of a stroke, call 911 immediately. Stroke is a medical emergency, and almost 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated. Calling 911 is important because paramedics can begin collecting information and communicating this to the hospital as soon as they arrive, saving valuable time.

Do not drive yourself or the person having a stroke to the hospital. While you wait for the ambulance, unlock the front door for the medical workers and loosen any clothing around the neck or chest to aid breathing.

When the ambulance arrives, paramedics will assess whether the person is breathing and has a pulse. They will also check for signs of stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness, and trouble talking. They will ask the person to:

• Smile to check for face drooping
• Hold both arms out straight to see if one drifts downward
• Say a simple phrase to check for slurred speech

They will also want to know the time that symptoms started and may check blood sugar levels. If a stroke is suspected, paramedics will send a Code Stroke to the hospital so that a stroke team is ready and waiting.

Calling 911 immediately is crucial in ensuring the person having a stroke receives the fastest possible treatment and has the best chance of making a full recovery.

Don't drive yourself to the hospital

If you or someone close to you is experiencing a stroke, it is imperative that you do not drive yourself to the hospital. Here are several reasons why calling 911 for an ambulance is the best course of action:

EMS Gets You to the Hospital Faster:

Calling 911 ensures that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals will come to you and provide immediate assistance. They have the right of way when using lights and sirens, allowing them to navigate through traffic faster than a personal vehicle. This means you will get to the hospital quicker, which is crucial when dealing with a time-sensitive condition like a stroke.

EMS Begins Treatment Immediately:

When you call 911, you are essentially bringing emergency room resources directly to your door. EMS professionals can initiate treatment while en route to the hospital, increasing your chances of a full recovery. They can screen for stroke symptoms, monitor vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure, gather information about your medical history, and even notify the hospital in advance so they can prepare the necessary equipment and medicines.

EMS Saves Time at the Hospital:

Upon arrival at the hospital, patients who arrive by ambulance are often treated more quickly. The EMS team communicates critical information about the patient's condition, symptoms, and medical history to the hospital staff, streamlining the treatment process. This seamless transition saves precious time, allowing doctors and nurses to focus on providing immediate care.

EMS Knows the Best Hospital for Stroke Treatment:

Not all hospitals are equally equipped to handle stroke patients. EMS professionals are trained to identify the nearest and most suitable facility, such as a certified stroke center, that specializes in stroke treatment. These specialized centers have developed standards of care for stroke patients and typically have more staff, medicine, and equipment specifically for treating strokes.

Safety Comes First:

Driving yourself or someone else to the hospital during a stroke is not only unsafe but also increases your risk for disability and death. Stroke symptoms like face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties can impair your ability to drive safely. By calling 911, you ensure that you or your loved one receives constant medical supervision and care, both during the trip to the hospital and upon arrival, without putting anyone at risk.

Paramedics will communicate with the hospital

Paramedics and EMTs are trained to recognise stroke symptoms and will begin collecting information and communicating with the hospital as soon as they arrive at the patient's door. This saves valuable time when the patient arrives at the hospital. Paramedics will also determine whether the patient is taken to the nearest hospital or a Primary Stroke Centre, which is better equipped to treat strokes.

The paramedics will also communicate the time that the patient's symptoms began, as some treatments are only effective within the first few hours after symptoms appear. For example, the medication tPA, which is used to treat ischemic strokes, needs to be given within three to four and a half hours of when symptoms began.

A CT scan will be performed to identify the type of stroke

When someone is having a stroke, every second counts. If you or someone close to you is experiencing stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. Don't drive to the hospital—let the paramedics come to you. They will begin assessing your condition and communicating with the hospital right away, which can save valuable time.

Once you arrive at the hospital, the medical team will act swiftly to diagnose and treat your stroke. Within 25 minutes of your arrival, you will undergo a CT scan. This non-invasive imaging technique uses a series of X-rays and a computer to create detailed cross-sectional images of your brain. The images produced by a CT scan are more precise than those from regular X-rays, as they provide clear visuals of the soft tissues, blood vessels, and bones.

During the CT scan, you will lie on a table that moves into the scanner. The scanner will rotate around you, taking pictures from different angles. You will need to stay still to ensure the images are clear. The scan itself is silent and typically takes fewer than 15 minutes.

The CT scan images will enable doctors to identify the type of stroke you are having. They will be able to determine whether it is an ischemic stroke, caused by a clot blocking blood flow, or a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by a burst blood vessel. This distinction is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment.

Following the CT scan, the medical team will review the results and initiate the necessary treatment. For an ischemic stroke, this typically involves administering a clot-busting drug to restore blood flow to the brain. In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be required to repair the ruptured blood vessel.

Treatment depends on the type of stroke

Stroke is a medical emergency, and the faster you begin treatment, the better your chances of making a full recovery. Treatment depends on the type of stroke, how much time has passed since symptoms started, and whether you have other medical conditions. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.

Ischemic stroke is the most common type, accounting for 87% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed by a clot. The main treatment for ischemic stroke is a medicine called a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which breaks up the blood clots that block blood flow to the brain. tPA must be given within 3 hours of stroke symptoms starting, and the sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery. If tPA is not suitable, an anticoagulant or blood-thinning medicine may be given to stop blood clots from forming or getting larger.

There are also several procedures that can be used to open up blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the brain, such as thrombectomy, angioplasty, and stenting. Carotid endarterectomy is a surgery to remove plaque from the carotid artery in the neck, which may be recommended if carotid artery disease caused the stroke.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. This type of stroke can happen suddenly and quickly grow worse. The treatment for hemorrhagic stroke depends on which part of the brain is bleeding and how much. Blood pressure medicine may be given to lower the pressure and strain on blood vessels in the brain, and vitamin K may be administered to help stop bleeding.

Several procedures can be used to treat hemorrhagic stroke, including aneurysm clipping, which involves placing a tiny clamp at the base of the aneurysm to stop bleeding and prevent it from bursting again. Coil embolization is another procedure that blocks blood flow to or seals an aneurysm, preventing it from bursting.

In addition to these specific treatments for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, there are also general treatments and tests that may be recommended for stroke patients. These can include breathing support, compression therapy, a feeding tube, fluids to restore blood pressure, and medicine to lower a fever. Rehabilitation plans are also important to help patients achieve the highest level of functioning possible after a stroke.

Frequently asked questions