Stroke often unrecognised by patients

19 April 2010

A majority of patients suffering TIAs or strokes do not recognise the symptoms and delay seeking medical attention according to new research.

A study published in the journal Stroke by researchers from the University of Oxford found that approximately 70 per cent of patients do not correctly recognise that they have suffered a TIA or minor stroke and 30 per cent delay seeking medical attention for over 24 hours. More than three quarters (77 per cent) of patients went to their GP first instead of seeking emergency medical care. The researchers also reported that over 30 per cent of early recurrent strokes occur before seeking attention.

Most guidelines now recommend that patients with minor stroke or high-risk TIAs are assessed within 24 hours of the event but – as the authors of the study point out – the feasibility of this depends on patients’ behaviour. They concluded that without more effective public education of all demographic groups, the full potential of acute prevention will not be realised.

"There has been very little sustained public education, but for a prolonged impact, sustained national campaigns are required," said Dr Arvind Chandratheva, who led the research, on the website OnMedica.

"Primary care physicians have to have the systems in place to refer high-risk TIA patients directly to dedicated hospital TIA services where they can be assessed, imaged and treated immediately."