Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions. Remember them with the acronym STR.
Why is this useful? Sometimes a person may stumble for no reason – or blame it on new shoes or tripping. To check if they might have had a mini-stroke, use this test.
1. Identify a Stroke – S
Ask the individual to SMILE.
2. Identify a Stroke – T
Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (Eg “It is sunny out today.”)
3. Identify a Stroke – R
Ask the person to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call an emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the advisor.
A Final Test
A final test which can be helpful – ask them to stick out their tongue – if the tongue is ‘crooked’, that is, if it goes to one side or the other, that can also be an indication of a stroke.
Is this true? Well, it comes from a cardiologist and it smacks of common sense to me. I think it could save a life.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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