﻿ Stroke Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What should be done if
you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke? - OnHealth
Stroke (cont.)  Medical Author: Medical Editor:   If any of the
symptoms mentioned above suddenly appear, immediate emergency
medical attention should be sought. The first action should be
to activate the emergency medical system in your area (call
9-1-1 if it is available). The goal is to get the stroke victim
to a hospital as quickly as possible to confirm the diagnosis.
An urgent medical decision is necessary in the emergency
department to determine whether thrombolytic or clot-busting
drugs can potentially reverse the stroke situation. There is a
very limited window of opportunity from the onset of symptoms to
when this therapy can be used. If delays occur, the opportunity
to intervene is lost.  The first priority is ensuring that the
ambulance arrives as soon as possible. First responders, EMTs
and paramedics may be able to help make the diagnosis and alert
the hospital about the