Treatment for stroke
If you or someone else experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call triple zero (000) immediately.
Stroke is always a medical emergency. Getting fast treatment for stroke can be the difference between death, disability and a good recovery.
When you call triple zero (000), warn them it is a possible stroke when the ambulance is sent.
Treatment for stroke in the ambulance
A number of questions are asked while you wait for the paramedics to arrive.
Here is emergency dialogue used in New South Wales, provided by the Ambulance Service of NSW.
- Are they completely awake?
- Are they breathing normally?
- Are they able to talk normally?
- Tell me why you think it’s a stroke
- When was the last time they were acting normally?
- Have they ever had a stroke before?
Post-dispatch instructions: “I’m organising the paramedics to help you. Stay on the line and I’ll tell you exactly what to do next”.
Treatment for stroke in stroke units
Care on a stroke unit is one of the most effective ways of treating a person after a stroke. A stroke unit is an area in a hospital where there is a specialised stroke team.
Unfortunately not all hospitals have a specialised stroke unit, so you may be treated in a general hospital ward.
When you get to hospital, they will give you tests to find out what sort of stroke you had.