Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: Stroke prevention can be improved by focusing on improving stroke knowledge. The objective of this study was to describe the knowledge of symptoms of stroke and compare the knowledge of risk factors to the history of medical and behavioral risk factors of patients who were recently admitted to the stroke units at Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital. Methods: In this one time study, participants were interviewed on stroke units prior to having any stroke education (within 48-72 hours of admission). We assessed their level of understanding about symptoms and risk factors of stroke and most common lifestyle changes required for prevention of stroke. We also collected their history of medical conditions, current body mass index and level of physical activity, dietary habits and smoking previous to this stroke. We compared their knowledge with their own risk factors. Results: One hundred patients participated. The most frequently reported stroke symptoms were weakness in the arms/legs and difficulty with speech, while headache was the least commonly identified symptom. There was a huge difference in the proportion of stroke survivors with an established history of certain risk factors and their knowledge of these risk factors. Of concern, 58 stroke patients had an established past medical history of high blood pressure, but only 18 of these individuals identified high blood pressure as a risk factor for stroke. Additionally, 62 patients reported to have lack of physical activity, but only 16 of these individuals reported lack of physical activity as one of the risk factors for stroke. Thus, their knowledge of behavioral risk factors and healthy lifestyle practices were not adequate. Discussion and Conclusion: Patients who had medical and behavioral risk factors for stroke did not have better knowledge about risk factors. The results support efforts to incorporate stroke education in future stroke prevention programs.