There is a very short window (3 hours) after a person has a stroke within which the administration of a clot-busting drug can limit disability and brain damage. Currently, only 2% of stroke patients reach an emergency room in time for tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) to be given.
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now there is a very simple way or test to determine whether a person is suffering a stroke.
• Ask the individual to SMILE
• Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS
• Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. Researchers are urging the general public to learn to ask these three questions quickly, to someone they suspect of having a stroke. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of a stroke, and prevent permanent brain damage.
From a report from the American Stroke Association. You'll find the same report at the American Heart Association. Just a minute: Bystanders may identify stroke symptoms in 60 seconds.
Each year some 600,000 Americans experience stroke. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S.