[Knowledge of stroke problems among adults in Poland]

An inquiry questionnaire was given to 180 adults without a history of stroke. The questions concerned the problem of stroke. The responders were aged from 15 to 82 years (mean 48 years). They were asked about risk factors for stroke, symptoms preceding stroke, behaviour of stroke witnesses. A correct definition of stroke was given by 86.7% of the responders. Only a small proportion of them knew risk factors for stroke (27.8% knew that one of them was hypertension, 6.1% gave smoking, 4.4% diabetes as risk factors). Although 93.9% knew that in face of stroke physician or ambulance service should be called, 6.1% thought that it would be sufficient to lie down or take paracetamol. The inquiry showed that the knowledge of risk factors for stroke is insufficient in the Polish adult population who not yet had cerebrovascular disturbances. It seems advisable to deliver an education programme in mass media on stroke prevention and its management in case of its development.