Stroke awareness among cardiovascular disease patients

BACKGROUND: The early recognition of stroke signs and symptoms is of great relevance concerning the outcome, since it enhances the chances of thrombolytic therapy use. PURPOSE: To compare the knowledge of stroke among a community-based sample and patients treated in a cardiologic clinic. METHOD: We applied a questionnaire during one morning to people who were walking in a park (Pa) and spontaneously stopped at a health tent and during one week to patients of a cardiologic clinic (Ca). The survey assessed demographic details, awareness of stroke symptoms and signs, risk factors and general concepts of stroke. RESULTS: A total of 222 questionnaires were answered, 109 by the cardiologic clinic group and 113 by the park group. The park group recognized better three associated symptoms: headache (Ca: 39 percent; Pa: 61 percent; p: 0.001), loss of vision (Ca: 15.8 percent; Pa: 30.9 percent; p: 0.007) and unilateral paralysis/weakness (Ca: 26 percent; Pa: 41 percent; p: 0.026). The park group recognized better 3 risk factors: diabetes (Ca: 22.9 percent; Pa: 37.2 percent; p: 0.021), smoking (Ca: 51.4 percent; Pa: 67.2 percent; p: 0.011) and high cholesterol (Ca: 54.1 percent; Pa: 69.9 percent; p: 0.015). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients treated in a cardiologic clinic do not show a better knowledge of stroke when compared to a community-based sample. Campaigns to increase stroke knowledge can have a great impact on public health, especially among enhanced risk groups, such as cardiovascular patients.