A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within three hours the effects of a stroke usually can be totally reversed. The key is early recognition of an impending stroke and seeking medical attention within the three-hour window.
Recognizing a stroke
Someone had sent the questions to Sherry that she asked Susie.
Susie failed all three questions so 9-1-1 was called. 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 directly to the hospital.
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:
If the individual 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.
Note: The above information has been circulating via e-mail. Cheryl D. Rost, ITD’s Safety & Risk Manager, received several questions about the validity of the information and subsequently contacted a physician for a response. It has been verified as an appropriate way to preliminarily determine the onset of a stroke.