While you're waiting for the paramedics to arrive, if you have them available, give the person three to four ordinary asparin if they're still able to swallow without aspirating. This could save their life. Most strokes are merely small blood clots, some so tiny that they can easily be dissolved with ordinary asparin. The person will, obviously, still require immediate medical attention, however, immediate is the key word. Clot busters administered for strokes are frequently not administered in a timely manner, especially in emergency room situations where the staff is beleaguered with everything from gunshot wounds to bloody noses. My last trip to the ER was a 12-hour exercise in futility where the proper diagnosis was not rendered. Two days later I had emergency surgery to remove my gall bladder.

Good post Glenn,

Gary