Stroke & Myocardial Infarction

Stroke

What is it?

A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.  Strokes are a medical emergency and  urgent treatment is essential. 

What are the signs of a Stroke?

The signs and symptoms of a stroke vary from person to person, but usually begin suddenly. 

As different parts of your brain control different parts of your body, your symptoms will depend on the part of your brain affected and the extent of the damage. 

Common Signs & Symptoms

The main stroke symptoms can be remembered with the word F.A.S.T: 

Face :  the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped. 

Arms : the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm. 

Speech : their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them. 

Time : it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

T.I.A (Transient Ischaemic Attack) 

A TIA stands for transient ischaemic attack. It is also known as a mini-stroke and happens when the brain’s blood supply is briefly interrupted, usually for a few minutes. 

A mini-stroke may cause a brief loss of vision, loss of speech, or weakness in one side of the body. People will usually recover within a few minutes and won’t have any obvious disability. Although the symptoms do improve, a TIA should never be ignored as it’s a serious warning sign of a problem with the blood supply to your brain. 

It means that person is at an increased risk of having a stroke in the near future. 

It’s important to phone 911 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you or someone else have TIA or stroke symptoms. 

What should I do if someone is having a Stroke? 

• Call 911 emergency services immediately 
• While waiting for help to arrive, keep the person awake if possible.
• Ensure the person is comfortable, supported and reassure them.  
• Do not let them talk you out of calling emergency services 
• Do not give them anything to eat or drink because it may be hard for them to swallow.  
• Keep monitoring the person’s level of response until help arrives. 

Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction

What is it?  

When the flow of blood to the heart is blocked. The blockage is most often a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart Sometimes, a plaque can rupture and form a clot that blocks blood flow. The interrupted blood flow can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle.  (coronary arteries).

Common Signs & Symptoms of a Heart Attack

• Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back. 
• Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain. 
• Shortness of breath. 
• Cold sweat. 
• Fatigue. 
• Light-headedness or sudden dizziness. 

What to do if you see someone who might be having a heart attack

If you see someone who’s unconscious and you believe is having a heart attack, first call for emergency medical help. Then check if the person is breathing and has a pulse. 

Specialist After Stroke or Heart Attack Care at Home

Our specialist care for stroke or post heart attack patients at home is founded on an expert approach to care delivery. All our dedicated care professionals are trained in how to care for someone who is recovering from a stroke or heart attack and use a range of best practice methods overseen by our clinical nurse management team. Our gentle and compassionate care team are flexible and recognise the new boundaries you may be living with and will assist you to build up on your key life skills. We also understand that those who are in recovery may have mobility concerns, as well as spiritual, psychological and emotional needs that need to be acknowledged and supported so that overall well-being is preserved.

We are able to support after a stroke or heart attack in the following areas:

• Assisting with mobility
• Continence care
• Managing and administering medication
• Household tasks
• Transport
• Shopping