It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally! He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, S.T. R. . Read and Learn!

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.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE .

(If the smile is lopsided, a stroke is likely to have occured.)

T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (If the speech is slurred, a stroke is likely to have occured.) (Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today)

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .

(If he or she cannot raise one arm, a stroke is likely to have occured.)

*NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue! If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.