Abstract
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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1871-1875 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Stroke |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1997 |
Keywords
- Health education
- Risk factors
- Stroke, acute
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
- Advanced and Specialized Nursing