Stroke Patients’ Knowledge of Stroke

Abstract

Approximately one quarter of stroke patients correctly interpret their symptoms as representing a stroke. This knowledge is not associated with early presentation to the emergency department. Ambulance transport is independently associated with early arrival at the emergency department. Even when patients know that they are having a stroke, most present late because they perceive their symptoms as "not serious." Widespread public education of stroke-prone individuals may increase the proportion of patients eligible for new acute stroke treatments.