There are two types of stroke:

1. The most common type is caused by a blood clot, blocking a blood vessel supplying part of the brain.
2. The other is caused by a vessel rupturing resulting in an area of the brain being squashed by the pressure of the blood, this is usually fatal within minutes.

A stroke can happen to any person of any age and is considered a medical emergency!

 

Recognition

Carry out the F.A.S.T. test:

F – Facial Weakness: can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye dropped.

A – Arm Weakness: can the person raise both arms?

S – Speech Problems: can the person speak clearly and can you understand what they say?

T – Time to call 999: if they fail any part of this test, as Stroke is considered a medical emergency.

Other recognition features include; loss of balance, lack of coordination, sudden severe headache or sudden onset of confusion.

 

So what can I do about it?

1. Call 999 immediately!
2. Place an unconscious casualty in the recovery position.
3. Lay the conscious casualty down, with head and shoulders raised.
4. Provide reassurance to the casualty
5. Monitor breathing and levels of response

 

Want to know more? Attend a training course which covers this topic:

QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (QCF)

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