Recognizing a Stroke

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. "I am in a BBQ party.")
• R—Ask him/her to raise both arms.

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

Another Sign of a "Stroke"

Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to stick out his/her tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked' (i.e., if it goes to one side or the other), that is also an indication of a stroke.