How to Recognize Signs of a Stroke

A stroke affects the brain, with recognizable symptoms lasting for a couple of minutes or for many hours. These guidelines follow the recommendations of the American Heart Association.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Note any numbness on one side of the body such as in one arm or leg, or on one side of the face.

2. Be alert to speech problems such as difficulty speaking or a loss of speech altogether.

3. Note vision problems such as an abrupt dimness or loss of vision, especially in one eye.

4. Be alert to sudden, severe, unexplained headaches, dizziness, loss of coordination or balance, or sudden falls without apparent cause.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
• High blood pressure and heart disease place you at greater risk of a stroke.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[dorothy73449]

on 2/7/2009 Thank you for your informative article, there was one more test that will help you decide, ask them to stick out their tongue. It will pull to the side if there is a stroke. Again, thank you.
Dorothy73449

[pepper0617]

on 1/19/2009 Very important imformation to know. These are the kind of tips everyone should know especially if they have a family member that has heart problems. *5

on 12/16/2005 A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and getting to the patient within 3 hours, which is tough. Sometimes the 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.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE:

Just remember the 3 steps. Read and learn!

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 (e.g. "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.