Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness can spell disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say that even a bystander can easily recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

Can you smile? Can you raise both your arms and keep them up? Repeat for me this simple sentence. (Make up a simple sentence.)

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. Any sign of weakness in the face, slurred speech, or weakness or numbness in the limbs can then be evaluated by medical professionals immediately upon arrival at the scene. If stroke victims are given proper help within three (3) hours of a stroke, the ability for the person to recover is greatly increased.

These conclusions were accepted and reported by the American Stroke Association in February 2003. If more everyday people knew about these three simple questions, lives could be saved starting now.

So tell as many people as possible. It's not if, but when it will save a life.

 

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