Recognizing a Stroke

Could you recognize a stroke in a friend or family member? If you are like many, the answer would be "no". The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of a stroke:

Sudden numbness or weakness in the 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

If you need help to identify these symptoms, remember "STR" (the first three letters of stroke).
"S"= ask the individual to smile. If their smile is crooked or uneven, it may indicate facial weakness. Ask the person to Stick out their tongue. If it goes to one side or the other or is crooked, it could also indicate a problem.
"T"= ask the person to Talk. Ask them to speak a simple sentence, such as, "it is sunny out today". If they cannot do this, it may indicate trouble speaking or understanding. "R"= ask the individual to Raise both arms. If they have difficulty raising both arms equally, it could mean weakness of one side of the body.

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. Check the time, so you will know when the first symptoms appeared. It is very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.