What should I do if I suspect someone is having a hemorrhagic stroke?

If you suspect someone is having a hemorrhagic stroke, the most critical step is to call for emergency medical assistance immediately. A stroke is a serious medical emergency that requires urgent intervention to minimize permanent brain damage or death. Every minute that passes without treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or disability.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, leading to bleeding inside or around the brain. This bleeding increases pressure inside the skull and damages surrounding brain tissue. It is essential to distinguish between a hemorrhagic stroke and an ischemic stroke, as their treatments are completely different, and the wrong treatment could worsen the condition.

Recognizing Hemorrhagic Stroke Symptoms

Stroke symptoms often appear suddenly. The F.A.S.T. test can help you remember the main signs:

• F (Face drooping): One side of the face droops when smiling.
• A (Arm weakness): Weakness in one arm when trying to raise both, where the affected arm tends to drift downward.
• S (Speech difficulty): Difficulty speaking, such as slurring or inability to understand speech.
• T (Time to call 911): The time to call for emergency help immediately.

Other symptoms that may indicate a hemorrhagic stroke include: sudden confusion, difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and a severe, sudden headache with no known cause.

Why is calling for emergency help critical?

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Millions of brain nerve cells die every minute during a stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability, or death. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcomes.

Upon the person's arrival at the hospital, doctors perform a detailed assessment of symptoms and medical history. Imaging techniques such as Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are used to determine if there is bleeding in the brain, which is crucial before starting any treatment. Doctors must identify the type of stroke before administering certain medications, such as clot-busters, which could make bleeding worse in the case of a hemorrhagic stroke.

Immediate steps to take

While you wait for medical help to arrive, there are some measures you can take:

• Stay calm: Maintain your composure and try to keep the affected person calm.
• Make the person comfortable: Help the person lie down or sit in a comfortable and safe position.
• Do not give food or drink: The person may have difficulty swallowing, which could lead to choking.
• Monitor symptoms: Note any changes in symptoms or the person's level of consciousness, and report these to the paramedics upon their arrival.
• Do not attempt to transport the person yourself: Moving the person incorrectly may worsen the injury.

Treatment and recovery from hemorrhagic stroke

Treatment for a hemorrhagic stroke aims to locate the source of the bleeding and control it. Treatment may include medication or surgery to stop the bleeding or relieve pressure on the brain. After the bleeding is controlled, a rehabilitation program begins to help the person regain lost abilities and restore independence.

For more information on the causes, symptoms, and emergency intervention for hemorrhagic stroke, you can visit Hemorrhagic Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, and Emergency Intervention (Arabic).

Medical references

• Stroke Overview
• Assess and Treat
• Hemorrhagic Stroke