According to the National Stroke Foundation, stroke is the third most largest cause of death. A stroke is a brain attack and when a person suffers a stroke, essential supplies of blood and oxygen are cut off from the cells in the brain. These control everything we do such as speech, movement and breathing.

Treat stroke with the same degree of seriousness as a heart attack.

Two common causes prompt strokes:

• A blocked blood vessel to the brain (an occlusion),
  
• A ruptured blood vessel causing bleeding into the brain (intracranial haemorrhage).

When a stroke occurs, it kills brain cells in the immediate area because they are no longer receiving the oxygen and nutrients needed to function.

Stroke is most common in the elderly, but people of any age and any level of physical fitness can suffer the injury.

Strokes occur in two main forms:

Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) which causes permanent damage to the brain tissue through oxygen starvation (blocked vessel), or pressure (bleeding). There is permanent damage to the brain, resulting in physical and/or sensory impairment.

Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) sometimes referred to as a ‘mini stroke', which is a temporary condition usually caused by a minor blockage of the brain's blood vessels. The blockage lasts long enough to temporarily show the signs and symptons of a CVA. TIAs may last from several minutes to several hours. Don't ignore TIA's as they can lead to a major stroke and the casualty should seek medical advice.

• FAST - Face Arm Speech Test
  • Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
  • Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms?
  • Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
  • Test all three symptoms
• if the casualty fails any one of the FAST tests call ‘000'

Other symptoms:

• sudden severe headache
  
• sudden nausea and/or vomiting
  
• warm, flushed, clammy skin
  
• slow, full pulse
  
• may have distended neck veins
  
• blurred vision in one or both eyes
  
• may have unequal pupils
  
• paralysis, weakness or loss of coordination of limbs, usually on one side of the body
  
• loss of balance
  
• difficulty swallowing or salivary drool
  
• urinary incontinence
  
• brief loss of consciousness
  
• unconscious - ‘snoring' respirations
  
• may have seizures

• If the casualty fails any one of the FAST tests act FAST and call ‘000'
  
• adopt position of comfort, taking care that the airway does not become obstructed by drool or mucus
  
• reassurance - talk to the casualty even if unconscious
  
• recovery position if unconscious, constantly observe
  
• maintain body temperature

Prompt action can prevent further damage to the brain and help the casualty make a full recovery. Delays in obtaining treatment can result in death or major long-term disabilities.

Useful Resource

National Stroke Foundation

1800 787 653 or 1800 stroke
http://www.strokesafe.com.au/