Blog: Mel's Muse - Stroke Survival: How To Recognise The Signs & Save A Life

Posted: Saturday, 7th February 2009

If your Mum or friend had a stroke would you know what to do to ensure their survival? No? Nor me! So when I received the following by e-mail, I thought it was so important, I’d put it up on my blog.

THE STORY OF A SAD AND UNNECESSARY DEATH

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and fell. Someone offered to call the paramedics, but she assured everyone that she was fine, and that she’d just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

Her friends got her cleaned up and brought her a new plate of food. Although she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself for the rest of the evening

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital. At 6:00 pm the following day, Ingrid passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had her friends known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.

Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

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 then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R. Read and Learn!

Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking the victim to perform four simple actions:

• S - SMILE then STICK-OUT your tongue (not simultaneously!)
• T - TALK - repeat a simple sentence coherently (i.e. It is sunny out today.)
• R - RAISE both arms.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, or if the tongue is crooked, or goes to one side or the other, call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this in an e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Have you?

Please copy the URL and link to this post and send to everyone you know.
Please link via Twitter, Facebook and other social networks.
Between us, we may save the lives of many people.

Articles on related themes: Life, Faith & Other Stuff; Self Help;

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