STROKE IDENTIFICATION... Serious Stuff

[freeballin]

During a BBQ a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (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 went 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 suffered a stroke at the BBQ - had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.

It only takes a minute to read this, Recognizing a Stroke

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 an getting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer 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:

1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.

2. *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

3. *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today) If he or she has 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 last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

BE A FRIEND AND SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE, you could save their lives

[basswipe]

When my dad had his stroke,which was mild thankfully,he could not perform any of those three steps.

My fathers' stroke wasn't recognized for almost 12hrs.He still has visible signs three years later.

If you have elderly parents or someone at risk for a stroke this is an important reminder.Strokes are one of the most frightenting things that can happen to a person.

[Squid kids Dad]

Freeballin..Thanks

[BigFish]

My Dad suffered a near fatal stroke while sitting at a game table in Vegas.....my Mom approached the table and said that my Dad was acting as if he was drunk...slurring speach and clumsy......but my Dad did not drink and right away my Mom knew he was having a stroke! Seconds, in my Dads case, mattered as he had a major brain stem clot......had it taken my Mom just a few moments longer to get him to the hospital he would not have lived the extra 12 years that he did. Because of my Moms good judgement, my Dad survived his stroke, recovered fully and lived to see all of his grandchildren including my two sons who were his youngest.....for all of this I am grateful and thankful. This is a great thread and very important information.

[Swimmer]

Thank you Freeballin