A stroke is a "brain attack" that happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off. In rural and semi-urban areas like the Kumaon foothills, delays in recognizing the symptoms often cost lives. Time lost is brain lost.
The F.A.S.T. Protocol
Everyone should know how to identify the early warning signs of a stroke. The easiest way to remember is the acronym F.A.S.T.:
Face Drooping
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?
Arm Weakness
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty
Is speech slurred? Are they unable to speak or difficult to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
Time to Call
If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call an ambulance and get them to the hospital immediately.
The "Golden Hour" System at PSP Hospital
When it comes to treating ischemic strokes (caused by a blood clot), administering clot-busting medication (thrombolytics) is highly time-sensitive. It generally must be given within 3 to 4.5 hours of the symptom onset.
Our "Code Stroke" Activation
When you arrive at PSP Memorial Emergency with suspected stroke symptoms, our "Code Stroke" protocol activates instantly. This prioritizes you for immediate CT scanning and brings our vascular neurology team to the bedside within minutes.
Haldwani Stroke Hotline: +91-5946-280000