RECOGNIZING A STROKE

RECOGN= IZING A STROKE

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

Susie is recouping at an incredible pace for s= omeone with a massive stroke all because Sherry saw Susie stumble. She asked Susie the 3 questions. This literally saved Susie's life -= - Some angel had sent it to Susie's friend and she did just what it said to do. Susie failed all three questions. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> So then 9-1-1 was called. Even though she had normal blood pr= essure readings and did not appear to be a stroke as she could converse to some ex= tent with the paramedics. They too= k her to the hospital right away.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult t= o identify.

Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells di= saster. The stroke victim may suffer = brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking t= hese three simple questions:

1. Ask the individua= l to SMILE.

2. Ask him or her to= RAISE BOTH ARMS.

3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (i.e. "It is sunny out today= .")

If he or she has trouble with any of these tas= ks, call 9-1-1 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, researche= rs urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at= the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could r= esult in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.=

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be sav= ed. Do you believe it?