Historical February–March 2006 newspaper text. Its medical anecdotes and treatment claims have not been verified and must not be relied on as current medical guidance.
Some friends had dinner this summer with a dear friend of theirs.
During the BBQ their 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. At 3:00 a.m., my friend received a call from Ingrid’s husband telling her that his wife had been taken to the hospital (at 6:00 p.m., 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. 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 and getting to the patient within 3 hours, which is tough.
The “3” steps: 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 911 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.
A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2006.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Unattributed chain-letter style story and claim of total stroke reversal within 3 hours are not independently verified; historical text must be clearly labeled and not treated as current medical guidance.
Original source: SD_Times2006_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
