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.

A bystander can recognize a stroke by asking four simple questions:

S*      Ask the individual to SMILE
T*      Ask the person to TALK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
             (e.g., It is sunny today.)
R*      Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
O*      ask the person to ’stick’ out her/his tongue.
            The tongue going to one side or the other, rather than straight,
            also indicates a stroke.

If the person has trouble with ANY ONE of these four tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

If everyone reading this sends it to 10 others, a life may well be saved.