If someone you know is having a stroke first call the ambulance preferably one with emergency equipment in the ambulance, or ask someone to take you to the nearest hospital, which has Intensive Cardiac Care Unit. Make sure before you go there, that a bed is available in ICU. After that, call your family doctor and tell him/her that you are shifting the patient to the hospital and he/she should meet you there. In the mean time make the patient lie flat on the floor, give him a nitrate tablet under the tongue, an aspirin dissolved in a spoonful of water (Do not take aspirin without your doctor’s advice, as you may have some condition that makes it dangerous), and a beta blocker (if the patient is hypertensive).

Unfortunately if you have any of the Stroke Risk-factors, you should be prepared for the probability of having a stroke in the future. The first couple of hours after a stroke are very critical and may spell the difference between life and death and the sooner you stop the heart attack, the lesser would be the damage.

During an emergency the most important thing is to remain calm and not panic. Practice deep relaxation, healing visualizations, positive affirmations or prayers. Where you come from at that moment will influence the outcome of your stroke. Come from that, ‘everything is okay’ and it would be. Being prepared for the possibility of a stroke can save a lot of time and anxiety during a crisis, and it may even save your life. I would advise you to discuss the possibility of you having a stroke with your doctor, because they know your case well and you would be interacting with them on a regular basis. Ask them, if you need to take any special precautions, and it is always a good idea to carry with you a synopsis of your past medical records.