Emergency Services in Zachary: What to Do If You Suspect Someone is Having a Stroke

A stroke can happen suddenly, and the first few minutes matter. If someone develops possible stroke symptoms, calling 911 should be your first step. What you do after that can also affect how quickly the person receives appropriate care.

While you wait for emergency medical services, there are important steps to take and several things you should avoid. Knowing how to recognize stroke warning signs, what information to give responders, and why you should not drive the person to the hospital yourself can help you respond more confidently in an emergency.

What Should You Do First If You Suspect a Stroke?

Call 911 immediately if you notice possible stroke symptoms. Tell the dispatcher that you suspect a stroke, describe the symptoms you are seeing, and provide your location.

Try to remember or determine when the symptoms first began. If you did not see them start, note the last time the person was known to be without symptoms. This information can help the medical team make treatment decisions once the person reaches the hospital.

Stay with the person while you wait for emergency responders and follow any instructions the dispatcher gives you.

How Do You Know If Someone May Be Having a Stroke?

Use B.E. F.A.S.T. to recognize common stroke warning signs and know when to call 911.

• B – Balance: Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking
• E – Eyes: Sudden blurred or double vision or loss of vision
• F – Face: One side of the face droops or feels numb
• A – Arms: One arm becomes weak, numb, or drifts downward when both arms are raised
• S – Speech: Speech becomes slurred, difficult to understand, or unusual
• T – Time: Call 911 immediately if any of these signs appear

Stroke symptoms can begin suddenly, and a person may experience one or several warning signs. Lane’s guide to stroke symptoms and warning signs provides more detail on recognizing B.E. F.A.S.T.

What Should You Do While Waiting for 911?

While waiting for EMS, keep the person safe, watch for any changes in symptoms, and be ready to share important information with emergency responders.

Note When the Symptoms Started

Write down or remember the time symptoms first appeared. If the person woke up with symptoms or you are unsure when they began, tell emergency responders the last time the person was known to be well.

The medical team may use this information when determining which treatments may be appropriate.

Keep the Person Safe and Comfortable

Help the person sit or lie down in a safe, comfortable position, especially if they are dizzy, weak, or having trouble with balance.

Stay nearby and monitor them while help is on the way. If their condition changes, tell the 911 operator and follow the instructions you receive.

Be Ready to Share Important Information

Emergency responders may ask about the person’s symptoms, medical conditions, medications, and when the symptoms began.

If possible, gather the person’s current medications or have a medication list available for EMS to review. This can help emergency responders and the hospital care team quickly understand what medications the person is taking.

If that information is readily available, keep it nearby, but do not delay calling 911 or searching for medical records or medication lists.

What Should You Not Do If Someone Is Having a Stroke?

Do not wait for symptoms to improve or try to manage the situation on your own.

Avoid giving the person food or drinks, since a stroke can affect swallowing. It is also important not to drive the person to the hospital yourself unless emergency professionals specifically instruct you to do so.

Most importantly, do not delay calling 911. Even if you are unsure whether the symptoms are caused by a stroke, it is safer to seek emergency medical evaluation.

Should You Drive Someone Having a Stroke to the Hospital?

No. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 rather than driving the person to the hospital yourself.

Emergency medical personnel can begin evaluating and caring for the person on the way to the emergency department. Calling 911 also lets EMS alert the hospital and share information before the patient arrives.

Stroke symptoms require emergency care, not routine or walk-in treatment. Knowing when symptoms require the ER instead of walk-in care can also help you make the right decision in other urgent situations.

What If Stroke Symptoms Go Away?

Call 911 even if the symptoms improve or disappear. Temporary stroke-like symptoms may be caused by a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, and still require immediate medical evaluation.

A TIA can cause symptoms similar to a stroke but may last only a short time. Because the symptoms disappear, some people assume the danger has passed. A TIA can be an important warning sign of a future stroke and should not be ignored.

Understanding the difference between a stroke and a mini stroke can help explain why even temporary symptoms require prompt attention.

What Happens After Emergency Stroke Treatment?

After emergency treatment, some stroke patients need rehabilitation to address changes in movement, balance, communication, swallowing, memory, or everyday activities.

The type and amount of rehabilitation depend on how the stroke affected the individual. Neurological rehabilitation after a stroke may include physical, occupational, or speech therapy based on the patient’s needs.

Through rehabilitation care, patients may work to rebuild strength, improve mobility, regain daily living skills, or address communication and swallowing difficulties. Individual therapy services can be incorporated as recovery needs change.

Where Can You Get Emergency Stroke Care in Zachary?

If you suspect a stroke in Zachary, the first step is to call 911. Do not delay emergency care by calling a physician’s office, scheduling an appointment, or driving to the hospital yourself.

Lane Regional Medical Center provides emergency services in Zachary for patients experiencing stroke symptoms and other medical emergencies. When stroke symptoms appear, call 911 immediately and let emergency medical professionals guide the next steps.

Written By:

This blog was written by Brett Lewis, M.D., a board-certified emergency medicine physician and Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Lane Regional Medical Center. Dr. Lewis is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and specializes in evaluating and treating patients with urgent and life-threatening medical conditions.