Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
If a neurologist can treat a stroke victim within 3 hours, the effects of stroke can be totally reversed. The challenge is having the stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient to medical care within three hours.
If a person who has suffered a stroke, doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE - is one side of the smile lower than the other?
T * Ask the person to TALK - is the speech garbled?
R * Ask him or her to RAISE both arms - can the person do it?
The first three letters of STRoke can help you to recognize the signs of a stroke. Call 911 and save a life.