Abstract
Background
A Healthy People 2010 objective includes increasing public awareness of the warning signs of stroke, yet
few data exist about the level of awareness. Recognition of stroke symptoms and awareness
of the need to call 911 for acute stroke events were examined among the general population.
Methods
Data are from 61,019 adults participating in the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System, a state-based telephone survey. Respondents indicated whether the following
were symptoms of stroke: confusion/trouble speaking; numbness/weakness of face, arm,
or leg; trouble seeing; chest pain (false symptom); trouble walking, dizziness, or
loss of balance; and severe headache with no known cause. Persons also reported the
first action they would take if they thought someone was having a stroke.
Results
Only 17.2% of respondents overall (5.9% to 21.7% by state) correctly classified all
stroke symptoms and indicated that they would call 911 if they thought someone was
having a stroke. Recognition of all symptoms and knowledge of when to call 911 were
comparable by gender but lower among ethnic minorities, younger and older people,
those with less education, and current smokers compared to whites, middle-aged people,
those with more education, and nonsmokers, respectively. There were no substantive
differences by history of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.
Conclusions
Public recognition of major stroke symptoms is low. Educational campaigns to increase
awareness among the general population and targeted messages to those at high-risk
persons and their families may help to improve time to treatment for adults suffering
acute strokes.
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© 2003 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
