View Full Version : Diagnosing an impending stroke
AngelsSix
07-25-2005, 21:37
How can you do this?? What symptoms are you looking for?? What tests would you run to confirm your diagnosis??
How can you do this?? What symptoms are you looking for?? What tests would you run to confirm your diagnosis??http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1020
I would like to stress do not mess around if you think you or somebody you care about is experiencing any of these symptoms.
Im not sure how an impending stroke could be Dx'd, but often a prior event can be seen in imaging-
ccrn
DoctorDoom
08-02-2005, 03:40
x
Dustin03
08-02-2005, 11:32
my grandmother has something for this on her refrigerator, may I post this info for everyone out there? Just asking first since I'm not a medical professional, but I do have access to some information for you all.
Sacamuelas
08-02-2005, 11:59
If you feel it is something that actually contributes to the thread... otherwise, the members on this board interested in TIA's will probably have already googled and researched the topic at a much higher level than a fridge magnet discusses.
Dustin03
08-02-2005, 12:48
"Sometimes the symtoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awerness spells disaster. The Stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. Ask the individual to SMILE
2. Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher."
How can you do this?? What symptoms are you looking for?? What tests would you run to confirm your diagnosis??
Wake up one Wednesday morning, open the paper and see HRC was elected POTUS.
The Reaper
08-02-2005, 13:25
Wake up one Wednesday morning, open the paper and see HRC was elected POTUS.
That did it.
I'm ordering four more evil black rifles, 50 high cap mags, and 5,000 more rounds of ammo, ASAP.
TR
Sweetbriar
08-02-2005, 20:10
"Sometimes the symtoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awerness spells disaster. The Stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. Ask the individual to SMILE
2. Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher."
Dustin, there may be more detailed info out there to be googled, but I will probably remember this little list much longer. Thanks.
SuntannedMonk
08-03-2005, 00:51
I though I might lend some information after sitting through a long lecture yesterday on strokes for my EMT-B training, I also used my notes and textbook for the class as references. Disclaimer: I am still in training and am not at this time a health care professional and I recommend consulting a doctor for more detailed information and a check up on anyone you may feel is at risk of a stroke.
Be aware that a stroke is usually considered a CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident) and different from a TIA that is usually referred to as a “mini-stroke”. A TIA is not as severe as a stroke but the person will also be at significant risk of having a full blown stroke.
When you're checking the list posted by Dustin03 such as lifting the arms up (I would suggest have the person close their eyes as they hold out their arms) and smiling what you are checking for is weakness on one side of the body. When checking the smile the smile would be more pronounced on one side of the face, also be sure to check for facial drooping on one side. In the arms one arm may drift downwards without the person even realizing it because one side of the body has been weakened by the stroke. You can also check grip; ask the person to squeeze both your hands and one hand may squeeze firmly and the other weakly. These are the most common signs of a stroke. A less common, but very important to note, sign of a stroke is a severe headache that could be caused by a very serious and dangerous kind of stroke called a hemorrhagic stroke.
For prevention and diagnosing, I would suggest seeing a doctor for that, EMTs can only treat the underlying causes and, with all respect to any doctors who may be on the forum; they aren’t there with the person to do an examination. I can’t say what the doctors will do to test for risk of a stroke because it would be mostly speculation. I hope that I was able to help, and I wish the best for whomever it is that you care for and are worried about.