Three signs to help you know if someone is having a stroke
Reacting quickly in the event of a stroke is essential for preventing serious sequelae. However, detecting this condition immediately can be difficult. Dr Xabier Urra explains three signs of someone possibly having a stroke.
In order to act quickly in the event of a stroke, the first step is to identify the problem.
A stroke is an interruption in blood circulation in the brain, due either to the rupture or blockage of a blood vessel. If blood does not reach an area of the brain for several minutes due to this increasingly common condition, the affected nerve cells may die. Hence the importance of acting as quickly as possible.
“A stroke can present abruptly and affect very different functions of the brain”
Appointment of Dr Xabier Urra neurologist
Before acting quickly, the first step is to identify the problem. Although this can be difficult, Dr Xabier Urra, a neurologist at the Clinic, emphasises that "the brain is a complex organ and different areas control different functions. Therefore, a stroke can occur suddenly and affect very different functions of the brain.” Nevertheless, Dr Urra recommends three basic checks for a suspected stroke:
Ask the person to smile
The first recommendation is to ask the person to grimace or smile. Then, the important thing is to “check and see if the smile is symmetrical or not. That is, if the person can move both sides of their face," explains Dr Urra. If the person affected can move only one side, this could be due to suffering a stroke.
Ask him to raise his arms
Secondly, a manoeuvre that is also often asked of these patients is to raise their arms. If there is paralysis on one side, a stroke may be suspected.
Ask him to talk
Finally, ask the person to speak. Dr Urra then recommends paying attention to check if: “His speech is poorly articulated; he does not manage to speak at all; or meaningless words come out."
"These checks can help ensure that hospital staff are ready and waiting for the arrival of this patient with a suspected stroke"
Appointment of Dr Xabier Urra neurologist
Finally, he points out that "if there is a fault in any of these functions, the best thing is to phone for an ambulance at once, by calling 112."
If these checks are done before calling the emergency services, the team arriving with the ambulance will be ready. "These checks can help ensure that hospital staff are ready and waiting for the arrival of this patient with a suspected stroke," concludes Dr Urra. Given that time is a crucial factor in the treatment of stroke, this knowledge can help prevent more serious sequelae should this emergency situation occur.
