Recognizing a Stroke

Well, yesterday was all about love. And what do you need to love? You're heart, of course. Well, that and someone to love. We've heard all the songs.

This has been going around the internet for a bit as a chain letter. Usually wary of such chain letters I checked this one out. Surprisingly enough, this chain letter contains solid facts that could indeed save a life, so I thought I'd post an excerpt of it here so you all can recognize when your heart has malfunctioned.

Is It 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 any 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.

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 nonmedical 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.

The following is from the American Stroke Association:
Call 911 immediately if you — or a loved one — experience these symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one sideof 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