SIMPLE TEST FOR SUSPECTED
STROKE
Sometimes
symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.
Unfortunately, lack of public awareness can spell disaster. The
stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people
nearby fail to recognize the symptoms. Now doctors say a bystander can
recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
*
Ask the individual to SMILE.
* Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
* Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(ie.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 They presented their
conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting in
February.2004. Widespread use of
this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke
and prevent brain damage .
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this information and passes it on to
10 people, at least one life will be saved!