What should you do if you think you are having a
stroke:2
- Stroke is an emergency!
- Even if you don’t have pain or the symptoms
go away quickly, call 911 or activate the emergency medical system in
your area!
Emergency treatment of stroke:1
tPA is a "clot buster" that has been
approved by the FDA to use for people who are having ischemic strokes (caused
by a blood clot). tPA may break up the blood clot to restore circulation to the
brain and may prevent permanent damage!
If you qualify for a clot buster, you must
receive it in 3 hours after the onset
of symptoms
In the 3 hour window, the following must be
done:
- Transported to a hospital
- Medical history reviewed to determine if the
patient meets criteria
- Receive the clot buster
- Physical assessment done and blood tests drawn
- CT scan done and read (other x-rays done if
necessary)
- Blood pressure may need to be controlled first
before tPA can be given
- Clot buster given intravenously
Time is EXTREMELY critical,
so don’t delay emergency care!
1Heart attack, Stroke, and Cardiac
Arrest Warning Signs - www.americanheart.org
2Common Symptoms and Treatments for
stroke - www.stroke.org
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