http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/stroke.asp

Thank you for the valuable information. I always like to check out what Snopes has to say about a topic, and Mikkelson says that the "tongue sticking out" is less valuable than the first 3 suggestions. But those first 3 things to look for are handy reference points.

Time is of the essence when dealing with a potential stroke--time lost is brain lost. The MOST important thing is getting the person to a hospital as soon as humanly possible. It's also good to beware of nonsense "advice" being tacked onto sound advice--some of the emails going around actually recommend such nonsense as bloodletting from the victim's ears and fingers (!), and driving slowly to the hospital "to prevent further damage" (!). Can you BELIEVE the drivel that some people will throw out there?

Again, no need to waste time--if you have reason to believe a loved one is experiencing a stroke or TIA, call an ambulance. Calling an ambulance immediately is what saved my SO's mother's life a few years ago when she had her stroke.