We’ve talked about heart attacks before, but what happens when there is a blockage in the vessels of the brain? It’s called a stroke. If there is bleeding or a blockage in the brain, that means the brain cannot receive oxygen, which it needs in order to function. The longer a brain goes without oxygen, the more dangerous and likely it becomes that the victim will suffer brain damage.
The signs of a stroke usually occur very suddenly, so always be aware if someone is:
1) experiencing sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, or even on one side of the body
2) suddenly confused, having trouble speaking or understanding
3) having trouble seeing in one or both eyes
4) suddenly develops a severe headache, with no known cause
5) has trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
If you notice someone with these symptoms, they could very well be having a stroke. You need to act fast. First, make sure the scene is safe. You’ll need to call 911 immediately and retrieve the First Aid kit and/or AED if possible. Keep in mind what time the symptoms started – first responders might need that information. If the person needs CPR, proceed to give them adult CPR.
