The Doctors debunk a rumored way to help someone while they are having a stroke and share what you should really do if you believe someone is having one.
They discuss a concept which says to prick the tip of all 10 fingers of a person, claiming this will help them regain consciousness -- something that ER physician Dr. Travis Stork empathically says is "not true."
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"This is a hoax. This is dangerous," he says of this claim. "If someone is having a stroke... if that brain is not getting blood flow, the damage is still being done. You've got to get them to the hospital."
Instead, Dr. Travis recommends remembering the acronym: F. A.S.T. in order to identify a possible stroke:
- F: Look for facial drooping
- A: Have the person put their arms up and look for arm drift or asymmetry
- S: Determine if they are unable to speak, especially if someone is unable to say a common phrase like, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
- T: Call 911 right away, as time is vital if someone is having a stroke
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The Doctors say that a family history of strokes, hypertension, smoking, being overweight can increase someone's chances of having a stroke.
