> Hey everyone, a friend emailed this to us and i thought i'd post it on here because it is something everyone should know.

Subject: RECOGNIZING A STROKE

> 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 
> 
> Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps. Read and Learn! 
> 
> 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 paramedics 
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. 
>