What should you do first when a stroke is suspected?

When a stroke is suspected, the immediate priority is to call emergency services and, if available, get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This is crucial because time is of the essence in stroke treatment. Strokes can lead to significant brain damage or death if not addressed quickly. The medical personnel need to arrive to provide the necessary interventions, which may include medications or surgery, ideally within the first few hours of symptom onset.

In addition, acquiring an AED might be appropriate because if the patient’s condition deteriorates, cardiac arrest could occur. The AED can help restore normal heart rhythms if such an emergency arises while waiting for help.

Addressing the other options, giving food to the person can be risky, as they might have difficulty swallowing and could choke. Moving someone suspected of having a stroke without professional help could exacerbate their condition or cause injury. Lastly, although checking for signs of life is important in many emergency situations, the priority in this case is to ensure that medical help is on the way, given the time-sensitive nature of a stroke.