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 getting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough.
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.
Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer 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:
1. *Ask the
person to SMILE.
2. *Ask the
person to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. *Ask the person to
SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE! (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
If he or she has trouble with any of these
tasks, call
911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.