Recognising a Stroke

[Burnham Lad]

This was sent me by my nephew who is a fourth year Medical Student with a request to pass it on to others.....

 

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.

 

Susie is recuperating at an incredible pace for someone who suffered a massive stroke. And all because Sherry saw Susie stumble - - and then she asked Susie 3 questions. So simple.

 

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.

 

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

 

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

 

* Ask the individual to SMILE.

* Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

* Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (ie. It is sunny out today)

 

If he or she has trouble with ANY of these tasks, call 999 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

 

These 3 questions literally saved Susie's life. Susie failed all three so "999" was called.

 

Even though she had normal blood pressure readings, and did not appear to be having a stroke as she could converse to some extent with the Paramedics. They took her to the hospital right away.

 

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.