How to recognize a STRoke.
April 11, 2007
Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions to the victim:
1. S *Ask the individual to smile.
2. T *Ask the person to Talk, to Speak a simple sentence.
(Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today?
3. R *Ask him or her 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.
If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call for help immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
Remember, Time lost is brain lost
Further Reading:
- http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1020
- http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52795
- http://www.strokeawareness.org/TOPIC/recognizing.htm
- Download and print this educational .pdf to learn the warning signs and teach others. More
