Stroke ID

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Remember the "3" steps, STR.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.

The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

STR

S - Ask the individual to SMILE .
T - TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently).
R - Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call ambulace immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE : Another 'sign' of a stroke is:

1. Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.