Warning signs of stroke
Most people do not know the warning signs of stroke and what to do if they suspect one — especially those most likely to suffer one, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2009. Researchers also found that people with lower income and less education are less aware of stroke symptoms than those who earn more money and are more educated. Older people and those who have already had a stroke were among the groups found to be least able to recognise the symptoms of a stroke and know to immediately call emergency service. Accoding to The American Stroke Association, the warning signs of stroke include: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. "We have to make sure that people know the signs and symptoms of stroke because the patient would need to get to the hospital as soon as possible to have a much higher chance of survival and avoiding potential disabilities," the survey's lead author, Dr Jing Fang, an epidemiologist in the division for heart disease and stroke prevention at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said. Race, education, income, gender and even marital status also played a large role in determining which people could correctly spot the stroke warning signs. Experts urge primary care doctors and other physicians that they should ensure patients to understand what a stroke might look like and should give more educational materials. There is a big disparity in age, gender, race, income and education. If we want to improve awareness, we should be more focused on those populations who were less aware of the signs.
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