We received this forward from a good friend whose husband recently suffered a stroke. As she said, her husband would still fail the third test. As you are doubtless aware, prompt action after a stroke can often offset severe damage. Please read, please remember and please forward.
Nan & Bill McCurdy
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Layman's Sure Guide to STROKE Recognition
This seems to be a reliable public service message well worth forwarding. A true story - Susie is recuperating at an incredible pace for someone who had a massive stroke, all because Sherry saw Susie stumble - -(that is the key that isn't mentioned below) - and she then asked Susie the 3 questions. So simple - - this literally saved Susie's life - -I had received this informative e-mail the week Susie had her stroke. Susie failed all three questions, and I called 911. Even though Susie had normal blood pressure readings and it did not appear to be a stroke, as she could converse to some extent with the Paramedics they took her to the hospital right away. I thank God for the sense to remember the 3 questions!
Read the following and learn how to help recognize a possible stroke victim! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
*1. Ask the individual to SMILE.
*2. Ask him / her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
*3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, 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, 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 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 saved.
