This story, from Bloomberg Businessweek, reports that a new study shows that people apparently were quicker to identify one stroke symptom and call 911 than they were if the person showed three typical stroke symptoms—someone who might need medical help even more urgently.

• “51% of those surveyed said that they would call 911 if someone was having trouble speaking or understanding
• “42% said that they would call 911 if someone had sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• “20% would call for someone who was having sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes”

Those are not great response rates, since strokes can be life-threatening, but the study shows an even more serious problem.

When respondents were asked which three of five symptoms were signs of stroke:

• “Less than 28% recognized all three symptoms
• “Only an estimated 18% of those who recognized all three symptoms would call 911″

The concern is not that people will take no action—-rather that they mistakenly think they can get the stroke patient to the hospital faster than 911 can get to the patient.

Huge mistake!

Emergency treatment begins as soon as 911 arrives at the scene. The crew is assessing the patient, communicating with the hospital and care begins on the spot.

By contrast, someone attempting to drive a patient to the ER does not have a siren, cannot push through traffic, does not have medical training or equipment and defeats their goal of getting the patient help faster.

In addition to that, almost no one is cool-headed enough to drive and watch a stroke patient with one eye safely.

The vice-president’s son had a mild stroke this week, an example of why stroke is not just an event that strikes older people.

What Can You Do?

• Learn stroke symptoms which tell you that you should call 911 immediately if you see any one or more of these symptoms. Call!
  
• Symptom 1: Slurred speech, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Symptom 2: Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
• Symptom 3: Sudden eye changes—trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.
• Do not think you can get the patient to care faster if you drive the patient. 911 is faster.
  

Bloomberg Businessweek

“Most people aren’t familiar with the symptoms of a stroke and most who are wouldn’t do the right thing and call 911 if a stroke occurred, a new survey finds. (Emphasis added)

“If you know the stroke symptoms and don’t know how to react once you see them, that doesn’t do you much good,” said study author Chris Fussman, an epidemiologist with the Michigan Department of Community Health in Lansing. (Emphasis added)

“His team will publish its findings online May 13 and in the July print issue of Stroke.

“The survey asked more than 4,800 adults to report their reactions to five symptoms, three typical of a stroke (sudden slurred speech, sudden numbness on ode side of the body, sudden blurry vision), two unrelated to strokes (high fever, an injured leg). (Emphasis added)

“Less than 28 percent of those surveyed knew all three stroke warning symptoms, and only about 18 percent of those who recognized the three symptoms said they would call 911. (Emphasis added)

“The results were somewhat better when the answers were calibrated for single symptoms, with 51 percent of those in the survey saying they would call 911 for someone having trouble speaking or understanding, 42 percent making that call for sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body and 20 percent saying they would do so for someone with sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.” (Emphasis added)

Source: Bloomberg BusinessWeek, May 14, 2010

Citation: Stroke, Online, May 13, 2010. Publication date scheduled for July, 2010, issue.