May is National Stroke Awareness Month. As a paramedic, stroke is the illness that worries me the most when I think about the health of my aging parents and in-laws. EMS providers can play an active role in stroke awareness and prevention by following these Everyday EMS Tips.
1) Teach all patients and community members about stroke signs and symptoms. Direct visitors to your organization’s website to the National Stroke Awareness Month website to learn more.
2) Always stress in community education and prevention programs the importance of calling 911 if stroke signs are present. Treatment of ischemic strokes is dependent on receiving clot busting medications within 3 hours.
3) Encourage patients with high blood pressure and other stroke risk factors to work with their personal or family physician to identify and control risk factors.
Learn more about stroke from the American Stroke Association.
