How to Diagnose a Stroke

Quick diagnosis of a stroke is important for medical personnel to act appropriately. Many of the serious effects of a stroke can be controlled or even reversed if the problem is treated quickly. While a stroke cannot be confirmed without a series of tests, it is possible to guess if a person has suffered a stroke by looking for certain signs and responses.

Instructions

Recognize the Visible Signs of a Possible Stroke

• 1

  Look for numbness on a part of the body that doesn't go away after 10 minutes or so. Numbness accompanied with serious weakness of that body part is an even more clear sign.

• 2

  Ask simple questions and listen for a reasonable answer. A person who has suffered a stroke may be unable to coordinate simple sentences or suddenly forget vital information such as his name or age.

• 3

  Ask the person to stand still or take a few steps. Loss of balance or the inability to walk properly may also be sign of a stroke.

• 4

  Ask the person to raise both arms. A stroke victim is often too weak or lacks the coordination to perform this task.

Be Familiar With Medical Tests That Can Diagnose a Stroke

• 5

  Expect a CT scan, the most common test used to diagnose strokes. CT scans can accurately show both types of stroke (ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke), no matter how minor the symptoms or the attack.

• 6

  Be prepared for the possibility of following up with an MRI (magnetic resolution imaging) scan, which is more detailed than a CT scan. MRIs are often recommended to diagnose transient ischemic attacks, which may not show up on a CT scan.

• 7

  Request an Electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG). While most doctors recommend these, ask for one if yours doesn't. An EKG can monitor the health of your heart and make sure you're strong enough to undergo further treatment.

• 8

  Be prepared for a series of additional medical tests, depending on the severity of the symptoms and what the CT scan reveals. Possible tests include transcranial or carotid doppler (ultrasound waves that measure blow flood), cerebral angiogram (to check for abnormalities of the blood vessels) and pulse oximetry (to confirm the amount of oxygen in the blood).