Preparing for a Stroke Emergency: What You Should Know If Your Parent Is At Risk

Quick summary

If your parent is at risk for a stroke, you can help him work to reduce his chances of having a stroke -- and increase his chances of surviving one. Here's how to help your parent prevent a stroke, how to tell if he's having a stroke, and what to do in case of a stroke emergency.

Learn your parent's stroke risk

If your parent has already had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (ministroke), the greatest threat to his health is another one. According to Ralph L. Sacco, chairman of the American Stroke Association's Stroke Advisory Board, a stroke survivor's risk of having a second stroke within five years may be as high as 40 percent.

If your parent has never had a stroke, there's no way of knowing for sure whether he'll have one, but you can talk to his doctor to learn more about his risk.

Take steps to prepare

• Help your parent reduce his risk. If your parent is at risk for a stroke, join forces to help him avoid having one. Talk about what he needs to do to manage his blood pressure and control his cholesterol. If he smokes, quitting will reduce his risk.
• Familiarize yourself with the signs of stroke.

Stroke sign #1: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg -- especially on one side of the body

Stroke sign #2: Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

Stroke sign #3: Sudden vision trouble in one or both eyes

Stroke sign #4: Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness

Stroke sign #5: Sudden severe headache with no known cause

• Research local stroke centers and decide where your parent should go if he has a stroke. Keep in mind that time is of the essence. Maybe there's a renowned stroke center a few hours away, near your sister's house. If your parent has a stroke at your sister's, he should go to that center, but if he has a stroke at home, it's better for him to go to the best facility that's nearby.
• Keep emergency information on hand. Once you've chosen a stroke center, post that information in a prominent location. If you think your parent is having a stroke, you'll call 911 and will be able to tell the paramedics exactly where you'd like him taken for treatment.
• Have your parent prepare an advance health care directive and give either you or another family member durable power of attorney. If your parent is unable to speak for himself, this will make it much easier for you to act in his stead.
• If you think your parent is having a stroke, be ready to act fast. And, in fact, the word FAST is an acronym that reminds you what to do:

Face: Ask your parent to smile. See if one side of his mouth droops.

Arms: Ask your parent to close his eyes and raise both arms. See if one of his arms drifts downward.

Speech: Ask your parent to repeat a simple sentence, such as "I went to the store today."

Test all three of the above and note any symptoms.

If your parent has difficulty with any of these tests, call 911 right away.

Be prepared to get help at the first sign of stroke

If you have the slightest suspicion that your parent might be having a stroke, call 911. Call even if the symptoms disappear, and don't let your parent talk you out of it. Tell him you understand that he's upset, but you're going to call anyway because you love him. The most precious gift you can give someone who's having a stroke is immediate treatment.