The first thing a healthcare professional needs to do in an emergency is to figure out whether the person is having a stroke and what type it is - ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

During the first exam, the healthcare professional will:

• Check the person’s blood pressure
• Order lab tests to look for high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and blood clotting time.
• Check for disabilities, such as weakness, paralysis; and problems with senses like vision, hearing, touch, and mental function.

The following tests may be appropriate for a stroke:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the head or a brain MRI
• Angiograms, which show blood flow
• Echocardiogram (pictures of the heart)
• Ultrasound and Doppler studies (to check the carotid arteries in the neck)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) (measures of heart rhythyms)
• Heart rhythm monitoring for abnormal heartbeats 

Last Updated March 2023