Early assessment of stroke

If you experience any of the signs of stroke , call 000 immediately. Immediate medical treatment can save your life and reduce the risk of permanent brain damage. It is very important that you get to hospital for an immediate assessment by a doctor.

Tests after stroke

An ambulance will take you straight to a hospital where you should be assessed as a priority.  Early testing will help identify what sort of stroke you have had and help guide your treatment.  View the Early Testing and Treatment booklet (.pdf 1MB)

The tests organised by your doctor will be different for everybody. Common tests include:

• Brain Scan: A Computer Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are tests that tell where your stroke has occurred in the brain and what type of stroke it was. CT should occur for all stroke patients in the first 24 hours after a stroke. Your doctor can talk to you about the results of your scan.
• Blood tests: These are done to check clotting ability of your blood, whether you have anaemia (low iron in blood), possible inflammation or to test blood chemistry (like levels of potassium or glucose).
• Heart tests: These may include a test for abnormal heart rhythm or heart disease (electrocardiogram). It may also include an ultrasound to check for a clot or enlargement of a chamber of your heart (echocardiogram). An electrocardiogram is recommended for all stroke patients.
• Neurological tests: Ultrasound, MRI or angiogram (dye test) look for clots or
  narrowing of the main arteries in your neck (carotid artery).
• Other tests: Urine tests or chest X-rays may also be done to check for infection or other disease. Routine observations will also be taken regularly to monitor your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood sugar levels, oxygen levels and breathing pattern.

It is important that you ask questions to help you understand the tests you have and the results. For example:

• What is the test for and why is it being done?
• Who will be doing it?
• When will I find out how it went?
• Who will explain the results to me and/or my family?