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%; Pa: 61%; p: 0.001), loss of vision (Ca: 15.8%; Pa: 30.9%; p: 0.007) and unilateral paralysis/weakness (Ca: 26%; Pa: 41%; p: 0.026). The park group recognized better 3 risk factors: diabetes (Ca: 22.9%; Pa: 37.2%; p: 0.021), smoking (Ca: 51.4%; Pa: 67.2%; p: 0.011) and high cholesterol (Ca: 54.1%; Pa: 69.9%; 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.