how to recognize a stroke (you can help save a life)

Philippines
August 7, 2007 3:16am CST
IT ONLY TAKES A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO READ THIS... During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured that she was find (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid wen about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital. (at 6:00pm Ingrid passed away). She had actually suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. 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. Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR. Read and Learn. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S* - Ask the indvidiual to SMILE. T* - Ask the person to TALK, to speak a simple sentence R* - Ask him to RAISE BOTH ARMS. (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)
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1 response
• United States
7 Aug 07
i care for an elderly woman who has had a stroke in the past. its tips like these that help me feel more confident in my abilities to help care for her. Thanks!
• Philippines
7 Aug 07
Thank you. I am just glad to be able to share this.