Stroke Indentification

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the individual to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. (Coherently - i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R * Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

New Sign of a Stroke - - Stick out Your Tongue
Ask the individual to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
If the individual has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

A cardiologist supposedly said for every 10 people who get this info, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. I don't know how true that is, but it's important info to know so we might be able to save a relative from a horrible situation or death.

I hope you don't mind reading this info! I didn't know to do these things when hubby had his stroke a few years ago. I wish I had as we may have made it to the hospital in time for the diagnosis within the 3 hour window for best treatment results. He was in his early 50's at the time. I also had a co-worker who found when her son was born that he'd had a stroke inutero prior to 4 months gestation!

Strokes can and do happen at all ages, but are more common the older we get. So, knowing the signs is very important!