Dial 9-1-1
or your local emergency rescue department. Stay calm. Give your name, telephone number,
and exact location.
Look at the clock. As soon as the warning sign(s)
begin, check the clock and, if possible, write down the time. The doctors need to know
when the symptoms started to make proper decisions about treatment.
Lie down. While waiting for the ambulance, stop
all activity. Stay calm.
Do not drink or eat anything.
Do not drive. For your safety and that of others,
do not drive yourself to the hospital, if at all
possible.
If you’re helping a stroke patient, follow the
guidelines above. In addition:
Take medications with you. Put the stroke
patient’s medication list and current prescriptions, including over-the-counter
medications, in a sack. Send them to the hospital with the patient.
Be prepared to provide a complete list of all
medical conditions, medications (if not brought with the patient), any allergies, and the
name of the patient’s physician(s) to hospital staff.