Patients' awareness of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors

Background and Purpose: We sought to determine knowl-edge at tire time of symptom onset regarding the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of stroke in patients presenting to the emergency department with potential stroke. Methods: Patients admitted from the emergency department with possible stroke were identified prospectively. A standardized, structured interview with open-ended questions was per-formed within 48 hours of symptom onset to assess patients' knowledge base concerning stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Results: Of the 174 eligible patients, 163 patients were able to respond to the interview questions. Of these 163 patients, 39% (63) did not know a single sign or symptom of stroke. Unilateral weakness (26%) and numbness (22%) were the most frequently noted symptoms. Patients aged ≤65 years were less likely to know a sign or symptom of stroke than those aged <65 years (percentage not knowing a single sign or symptom, 47% versus 28%, P=.016). Similarly, 43% of patients did not know a single risk factor for stroke. The elderly were less likely to know a risk factor than their younger counterparts. Conclusions: Almost 40% of patients admitted with a pos-sible stroke did not know the signs, symptoms, or risk factor of a stroke. Further public education is needed to increase awareness of the warning signs and risk factors of stroke.