STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

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

Remember the '3' steps, STR . 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 ..
T * = TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (eg
'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 ambulance
and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE : Another 'sign' of a stroke is
1. Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that
is also an indication of a stroke.

A prominent 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.

And it could be your own!!