Recognizing a Stroke - the Signs

If a stroke victim can be medically treated within 3 hours, the effects of a stroke can be totally reversed ... totally. The trick is recognizing a stroke, getting it diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours.

Remember the first three letters in the word 'stroke' - S (Smile), T (Talk), R (Raise). And then there is the new test 'Stick Tongue Out Please' (STOP).

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.

T - Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today)

R - Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

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

And now there is a new test for a stroke. Have the person stick out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked'. That is, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Renewal Technologies Inc.
5423 North Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K4M 1G5
www.renewal.ca
info@renewal.ca
613) 692-1424
(613) 692-1790 Fax