STROKE Identification

A stroke is a blood clot in a vessel in the brain. Rapid identification can lead to treatment and frequently full recovery.

I got this in email, and have posted it here.

It only takes a minute to read this. . .
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
Remember the "3" steps, STR .  Read and Learn!

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.
                  T *       Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
                                                 (Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today)
                  R *       Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

  NOTE: 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 immediately !! and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.