Know the Signs
Most Americans are uninformed about stroke warning signs. To learn more about the warning signs, visit our sister site at www.StrikeOutStroke.org.  The University of Chicago developed the three steps below to help diagnose a possible stroke:

1. Ask the person to show you their teeth. This checks for one-sided weakness of the face.
2. Ask the person to close her eyes and raise our arms. Stroke patients usually cannot raise both arms to the same height. This also checks for one sided weakness.
3. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence such as "The sky is so blue in Nebraska." This checks for slurring of the speech.

The faster you get help, the better chance for a full recovery. Use the guidelines below at the first sign of a possible stroke.

Dial 911 or your local emergency rescue department. Stay calm. Give your name, telephone number and exact location.

Look at the clock. As soon as the warning signs begin, check the clock, and if possible, write down the time. The doctors need to know when the symptoms started to make proper decisions about treatment.

Lie down. While waiting for the ambulance, stop all activity. Stay calm.

Do not drink or eat anything.

Do not drive. For your safety and that of others, do not drive yourself to the hospital, if at all possible.

If you're helping a stroke patient, follow the guidelines above. In addition:

Take medications with you. Put the stroke patient's medication list and current subscriptions, including over-the-counter medications, in a sack. Send them to the hospital with the patient.

Be prepared to provide a complete list of all medical conditions, medications (if not brought with the patient's), any allergies, and the name of the patient's physician(s) to hospital staff.