What are the three tests for suspected stroke victims?

[Solarjunkie]

I remember reading somewhere that there are three simple tests that can be administered by anyone to see if a person has had a stroke, but unfortunately I can remember only one of them - ask a simple question.
Any offers?

[raysparx]

HI solar,

1 ask them to smile

2 ask them to raise both arms

3 ask them to speak a simple sentence

if they have trouble with any of above dial 999

hope these are the signs you mean, Ray

[Dee Sa]

Raysparks is spot on, there is one more ask the person to put their tongue out and if it veres to one side thats another tell tale sign, needs urgent medical help within 3 hours.
Also a fall which they insist they only tripped.

[buffbex]

working on a stroke unit myself, the only definitive way to tell if somebody has had a stroke or not is by a ct scan of the brain; which will aslo show what type of stroke has occured. other illnesses, pariticularly in the elderly (who are most prone to strokes) can cause stroke like symptoms; such as simple infections, also TIAs (trans ischaemic attacks) sometimes known as mini strokes. In general strokes may be caused by a clot or bleed, and the symptoms will depend on the area of the brain affected; symptoms may also develop over several hours. some main symptoms include decreased consciousness, diffculty speaking; ie slurring words, a weakness of limbs on one side of the body, drooping and drooling of one side of the face, confusion, feelins of numbness on one side of the body.