Recognising a Stroke!

Maybe you are in perfect health ? that is good! But then, you may have an opportunity to save a family member, friend or stranger.

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. There is nothing more life saving than getting the patient to the hospital in the FIRST ONE HOUR! The Golden Hour, as it is now known as to Doctors and emergency attendants alike!

*********** RECOGNIZING A STROKE ***********

Remember the "3" steps. Read and Learn!

Symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage if people around fail to recognize the symptoms.

A bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.

2 *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

3. *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE, coherently: something like: It is a sunny day today. If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call Emergency 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.