Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the 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 three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE. 
(If the smile is lopsided, a stroke is likely to have occurred.)

T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(If the speech is slurred, a stroke is likely to have occurred. eg. It is sunny out today)

 R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. 
(If he or she cannot raise one arm,  a stroke is likely to have occurred.)

 Another ’sign’ of a stroke is this:

Ask the person to ’stick’ out their tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. 

If he or she has trouble with  ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 or 000 [your local emergency number] immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. Please consult your MD / Physician for more details on stroke.