signs for RECOGNIZING A STROKE/OT/not a joke

October 24, 2005

In a message dated 10/24/2005 7:11:44 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

DUTCHESS0110 writes:

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

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 saved.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE -

A true story

Susie is recuperating at an incredible pace for someone who suffered a

massive stroke.

And all because Sherry saw Susie stumble - - and then she asked

Susie 3 questions. So simple -

These 3 questions literally saved Susie's life.

Susie failed all three so " 911 " was called.

Even though she had normal blood pressure readings, and did not appear to

be having a stroke as she could converse to some extent with the

Paramedics.

They took her to the hospital right away.

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 last February. Widespread use of this test could result in

prompt diagnosis and treatmen! t of the stroke and prevent brain damage .

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