A new analysis published in Stroke indicates that almost 30% of U.S. adults under the age of 45 are not familiar with the common stroke symptoms.
“While the medical community has made significant improvements to reduce the severity and complications of strokes with early interventions, these efforts are of limited value if patients do not recognize stroke symptoms,” said study author Khurram Nasir, MD, MPH, MSc, chief of the division of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center in Houston, Texas. “Time is critical for treating stroke. The earlier people recognize symptoms, the better their chances are to reduce long-term disability from stroke.”
The study used data from the 2017 National Health Survey that assessed awareness of 5 common stroke symptoms (numbness of the face/arm/leg; confusion/trouble speaking; difficulty walking/dizziness/loss of balance; trouble seeing out of one or both eyes; and severe headache) as well as planned response knowledge (such as calling emergency services) across many socioeconomic groups. The study population included more than 24,000 (n=24,769) representing more than 107 million young adults.
According to the results, 2,718 young adults (28.9%) were not aware of all five symptoms, and 242 were not aware of even one symptom. Following adjustment for confounders, the authors reported that Hispanic ethnicity, non-US-born immigration status, and lower education levels were all significantly associated with a lack of stroke symptom awareness. Those with five high-risk characteristics (non-white, non-US born, low income, uninsured and a high school education or less) were associated with a nearly four-fold higher odds of being unaware of all symptoms.
“With the growing risk of stroke among younger adults in the U.S., our study sheds light on particularly vulnerable individuals and communities that already experience a disproportionately greater burden of stroke and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as reduced access to health care services,” Dr. Nassir said in a press release. “We hope that highlighting the continued impact of current health disparities may advance focused public health strategies and educational initiatives to increase awareness of and appropriate response to stroke symptoms.”
Now published in @StrokeAHA_ASA, our analysis of stroke symptom #awareness in US young adults: 1 in 3 adults (representing ~31 million) not aware of all 5 common #stroke symptoms w/ ~3 million not calling 9-1-1@shiwani_mahajan @eff_ve @miguelcainzos23https://t.co/G5HBHLqJp9 pic.twitter.com/81hS4y0XXY
— Reed Mszar (@reed_mszar) October 26, 2020
Congratulations @reed_mszar and @shiwani_mahajan for showing us 1 in 3 young adults in US are unaware of all 5 stroke symptoms.@StrokeAHA_ASA https://t.co/VJhPBARgCh
— Gowtham Grandhi (@gowthyharsha) October 26, 2020
Sincere congratulations @reed_mszar. Terrific job and I continue having to remind myself that you haven't even started med school. Congratulations to your mentors @khurramn1 @hmkyale @jvaleromd and @Yale, no question this guy will be a preventive cardiology rockstar very soon. https://t.co/F45z88LHjc
— Miguel Cainzos-Achirica, MD MPH PhD (@miguelcainzos23) October 26, 2020
World Stroke Day is Oct 29 @StrokeAHA_ASA @WorldStrokeOrg @TheStrokeAssoc. Increasing stroke awareness among young is an opportunity to make a difference. Minority and uninsured populations are vulnerable. https://t.co/MfCqeXhETS
— Farhaan Vahidy, PhD MBBS MPH FAHA (@vahidyf) October 26, 2020
@reed_mszar @shiwani_mahajan->1 in 3 young adults (31 million individuals) in US unaware of all 5 common stroke symptoms
Significant risk among
-NH Black or Hispanic
-Born outside US,
-Low SES, education
-Uninsured
Also Less likely to call 911@eff_vehttps://t.co/52AhpXkU3Z pic.twitter.com/EVXjZG3Hre
— Khurram Nasir (@khurramn1) October 26, 2020
