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NIH Criteria for Scoring a Stroke

Approximately 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, according to the American Heart Association. Use of the National Institutes of Health's Stroke Scale to make a detailed assessment of stroke severity is the first step toward choosing a successful treatment program.

  1. What Is It?

    • The Stroke Scale is made up of 15 items that test for level of consciousness (alertness, ability to answer questions, and follow commands), visual impairments, paralysis of the face, weakness or paralysis of the arms and legs, lack of limb coordination, sensory ability (ability to respond to stimuli), and speech capability. The measurements for each area are based on a scale of numbers between 0 and 5, with 0 representing normal (no observable damage). The Scale is available as a printable form, including necessary visual aids, with spaces for recording patient response in each of the tested areas.

    How Long Does it Take?

    • The Stroke Scale can be completed in less than 10 minutes per patient. It is designed to be repeated a minimum of 5 times: baseline (first assessment after symptoms appear), 2 hours after treatment has begun, 24 hours after first appearance of symptoms, 7 to 10 days after first appearance of symptoms, and 3 months after first appearance of symptoms.

    Significance

    • Early detection is vital to effective stroke treatment. The NIH scale provides a standardized measure of the potential severity of a stroke, as well as a way to measure recovery progress.

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