[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/07\/what-to-do-if-having-a-stroke\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/07\/what-to-do-if-having-a-stroke\/","headline":"What to Do If Someone Is Having a Stroke","name":"What to Do If Someone Is Having a Stroke","description":"Ask yourself a question: If a friend or parent were to have a stroke tomorrow, would you know what to do? Learn the steps to take if someone has a stroke.","datePublished":"2017-07-16","dateModified":"2024-11-21","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/082017BLG_EMERGENCYAMBULANCE.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/082017BLG_EMERGENCYAMBULANCE.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/07\/what-to-do-if-having-a-stroke\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":588,"keywords":["stroke","stroke center","stroke side-effects"],"articleBody":"Ask yourself this question: If a friend or parent were to have a\u00a0stroke\u00a0tomorrow, would you know what to do?Knowing what to do when someone\u00a0is having a stroke\u00a0could make the difference between a short or lengthy recovery \u2014 and may even be a matter of life or death.Because a person can suffer from a stroke at any age, it is critical that you know how to react if someone begins showing signs of a stroke.How to Identify the Signs of a StrokeWhen someone is having a stroke, they show distinct symptoms, such as sudden dizziness, trouble balancing, numbness on one side of the body, and difficulty speaking.Other symptoms can include a severe\u00a0headache\u00a0and blurred vision. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, though, so it is important to know all the signs of a stroke to get help.Learn more about the UPMC Stroke Institute.Doctors have developed a checklist using the acronym\u00a0F.A.S.T.\u00a0to help determine if someone is having or about to have a stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for:Face\u2013 Is their face drooping on one side?Arms\u2013 Do they have difficulty raising both arms?Speech\u2013 Is their speech slurred? Are they unable to repeat simple phrases?Time\u2013 If you can answer yes to any of the above questions, call 911 right away.During a stroke, immediate care is critical. Even if you are unsure of a person\u2019s symptoms, don\u2019t wait to see if they go away on their own.\u00a0Seek medical care immediately. By waiting too long to seek help during a stroke, some symptoms \u2014 such as partial paralysis or difficulty speaking \u2014\u00a0can become permanent.Take These Steps If You Believe Someone Is Having a StrokeStep 1: Call 911Before you do anything to help the person having a stroke, call 911. For a person suffering from a stroke, every minute is valuable. The sooner he or she receives treatment for the stroke, the fewer long-term problems they will have.Step 2: Note the Beginning of SymptomsAfter calling 911, write down what time he or she began showing symptoms of a stroke. This information will help emergency responders and the doctors determine appropriate treatment once the person arrives at a hospital or stroke center.Step 3: Do Not Leave the Person AloneDo not leave anyone having a stroke alone, especially if he or she is having difficulty balancing. There is a higher risk of falling or injuring oneself further when suffering from a stroke. Find a safe place for the person to lie down and keep the head raised.Step 4: If Necessary, Perform CPRIn the event the person becomes unconscious, first check to see if he or she is breathing. If not, begin CPR until breathing resumes or emergency responders arrive.Getting Treatment for StrokeBecause\u00a0strokes develop suddenly, it is important for anyone experiencing a stroke to find immediate treatment. The longer it takes to see a\u00a0doctor, the more permanent the side-effects of a stroke can become. If you believe someone is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.Specialized stroke centers, like the\u00a0Advanced Primary Stroke Centers at UPMC, can quickly treat people having a stroke.From the moment a patient enters a primary stroke center, a team of specialists is on hand to rapidly determine the best course of treatment. Treatment is provided on an individual basis and differs based on the needs of each stroke patient.Editor's Note: This video was originally published on July 16, 2017, and was last reviewed on November 21, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What to Do If Someone Is Having a Stroke","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/07\/what-to-do-if-having-a-stroke\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]