New:   An easy way for bystanders to recognize a stroke
Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke - by asking three simple questions - think "STR":

S- Smile - Ask the individual to SMILE.
 
T- Talk - Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE Coherently. (i.e. . . "It is sunny out today?")
 
R- Raise arms - Ask them to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If they have trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting in February 2006. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.




Stroke Symptoms/Warning Signs
If you notice one or more of these signs, don't wait.
Call 911.   Get to a hospital right away!
The American Stroke Association says the symptoms of stroke are:
  • Sudden numbness or weakness on face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
  • Any of these signs may be only temporary and last only a few minutes.  This may be due to a "little stroke" or "mini-stroke" called a transient ischemic attack or TIA.  TIA's are extremely important stroke warning signs. Don't ignore them, call 911 and get immediate medical help.
    Stroke, referred to by the medical community as a cerebral vascular accident or CVA, is a condition in which the brain does not receive enough blood supply for a period of time.  The blood supply may be stopped because of a blood clot or other substance occluding a blood vessel or, more commonly, the blood flow may be hampered because of a blood vessel rupturing inside of the brain.  When the blood vessel ruptures, the resultant swelling and bleeding causes pressure on tissues in the brain which leads to occlusion of good blood vessels and a lack of blood flow to that part of the brain.  Strokes can happen to people of all ages but are found more commonly in people over 65 years old.  500,000 people suffer a stroke each year in North America.  About of third of these people die from the stroke but many are able to seek treatment early enough so that the stroke can be limited somewhat.  Knowing the early warning signs of a stroke (see below) and what to do if you see these signs in yourself or someone you love, will help you to feel more in control of a potentially dangerous situation.

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