NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A survey in 13 states and the District of Columbia reveals that most people are not aware of the five most common symptoms a stroke, according to findings reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This lack of awareness is concerning as it could lead to critical delays in treatment, CDC investigators emphasize in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Numerous studies have shown that prompt treatment is critical in saving brain tissue after a stroke occurs, and thus improving functional outcomes.

As part of the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, about 72,000 respondents were asked whether a given symptom is a symptom of stroke. The stroke symptoms included in the list were: sudden confusion or trouble speaking; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, an arm, or a leg, especially on one side; sudden trouble seeing; sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance; and a severe headache with no known cause.

Less than half of the subjects, 43.6 percent, correctly identified all five stroke symptoms. Awareness of individual symptoms ranged from 60.4 percent for severe headache with no known cause to 92.6 percent for sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side.

To make sure the subjects were not just answering "yes" to all questions, they were also asked whether a non-stroke symptom -- sudden chest pain or discomfort -- was a stroke symptom. To this, roughly 60 percent of subjects correctly identified the condition as not being a stroke symptom.

Finally, the respondents were asked if they would call 9-1-1 if they thought someone was having a stroke or heart attack. Nearly 86 percent said that they would, but just 38.1 percent of subjects were both aware of all stroke symptoms and would call 9-1-1.

While these percentages may not seem that low, the authors point out that just 16.4 percent of subjects responded correctly to all three aspects of the survey.

May is National Stroke Awareness month.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 8, 2008.

• More News on Stroke

Related MedlinePlus Pages:

• Stroke