What is stroke symptom knowledge?

No commonly agreed definition exists for ‘stroke symptom knowledge’ among members of the general public. Recalling at least one correct stroke symptom has been used in the past. However, this criterion was not associated with rapid presentation to hospital. Rapid presentation is vital in order to provide effective acute stroke treatment.

We sought to identify a base level of community stroke symptom knowledge associated with stroke recognition when symptoms occur, an immediate ambulance call, and ‘stroke recognition and immediately calling an ambulance’ as a single sequence of events.

For six-months in 2004–2005, we identified all patients with stroke living in a defined region of Melbourne and who were transported by ambulance to one of the three hospitals. The person who called the ambulance (caller) was interviewed. Read more