STROKE RECOGNITION

A stroke occurs when  oxygen fails to reach some part of the brain.  Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.  Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.  The stroke victim WILL suffer brain damage if people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and take action.  Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking the victim three sismple questions:

       *  Ask the individual to SMILE.

       *  Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

       *  Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently (e.g. "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 problelms, researchers now urge the general public to learn the three questions.  Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and  prevent brain damage.


Additional Material: GVHC Library File 82