What to do in a 3-hour window in case of stroke

Every minute after a

stroke

begins, nearly two million

brain cells

die. But within the first 4-5 critical hours lies our greatest opportunity. Think of it as nature’s stopwatch—when those initial symptoms appear, whether it’s sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, or vision problems, the clock starts ticking. In the critical three-hour window following the onset of a stroke, immediate action is paramount. Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke is the first step in ensuring timely treatment. Each passing minute without treatment can result in the loss of nearly 1.9 million neurons, leading to irreversible damage.

Common signs of stroke

Common signs include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side of the body—confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems in one or both eyes, and loss of balance or coordination.
If you or someone around you shows signs of a stroke, it’s vital to contact emergency services immediately. A swift action can be the key differentiator between life and death, as the first three hours are critical for stroke treatment.

Use clot-busting medicine

According to According to Dr. PN Renjen, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, “During this period, the main objective is to restore blood flow to the affected area of the brain as soon as possible. In cases of ischemic stroke, which make up around 87% of all the stroke incidents, timely administration of the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can substantially improve survival chances and outcomes. During these precious 270 minutes, clot-busting medications like

tPA

can dramatically reverse damage and save lives. However, this window is unforgiving—too many people wait, hoping symptoms will pass, losing valuable time when every second counts. This medication works by dissolving blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. However, tPA must be administered within three hours of symptom onset to be effective.”

Don’t try to self-diagnose

Call emergency services immediately. Even within this 4-5 hour window, the earlier, the better. Acting at minute 30 versus hour 4 can mean the difference between walking out of the hospital and facing long-term disability. In stroke care, we have a saying: ‘Time is brain.’ These 4 ½ hours are your lifeline—your chance to reverse the devastating effects of a stroke.

Remember BEFAST

According to Dr. Vinit Suri, Senior Consultant Neurologist and Coordinator, Dept. of Neurosciences, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, “The mnemonic to identify stroke: B stands for sudden onset Balance problems, E for sudden onset Eye issues, F for Face drooping, A for Arm weakness, S for Speech difficulty, and T for Time to call emergency services. These 4 ½ hours are a gift—but only if you recognize them and act without hesitation.”

Reach out to a heart specialist

In addition to tPA, other interventions may include mechanical thrombectomy, where doctors physically remove the clot from the brain’s blood vessels. This procedure can be performed within six hours for certain patients and has been shown to significantly improve outcomes.
Ultimately, understanding the urgency of

stroke symptoms

and acting swiftly can make a profound difference in recovery and quality of life. Educating communities about recognizing these signs and the importance of immediate medical attention is essential in combating stroke-related disabilities and fatalities. Remember: time lost is brain lost; every second counts in the fight against stroke.