Stroke-Related Knowledge and Lifestyle Behavior among Stroke Survivors

Awareness of stroke symptoms and risk factors, and actions taken in order to reduce the risk of new stroke events, should be of great importance among stroke survivors. The aims of this study were to assess changes in stroke-related knowledge and lifestyle behavior among patients experiencing a cerebrovascular event, and to assess the agreement between the patients' self-reported diagnosis, and the discharge diagnosis.

All patients discharged with a diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack during a 1-year period, received postal survey questionnaires at 3 and 12 months after discharge. The questionnaires included questions about symptom knowledge, lifestyle behavior, and patients were asked to report on their diagnosis.

A total of 282 patients were included (mean age 71.8 years, 57.1% men). Self-reported symptom knowledge was increased at 3 months (P < .001), and this persisted at 12 months. There was a poor correlation (r = .082; P = .171) between increasing symptom knowledge and stated lifestyle behavior changes. In all, 63% of the respondents correctly identified their own cerebrovascular subtype. Thirty-seven percent had quit smoking after 12 months, 30% reported that they used less sugary items, and 26% used less fatty food after the cerebrovascular event.

Stroke survivors reported increased stroke symptoms knowledge after 3 and 12 months. A proportion of patients made changes in lifestyle behavior. Only 2 out of 3 patients correctly identified their own cerebrovascular subtype, indicating room for improvement in clinical practice when informing and communicating with stroke and transient ischemic attack patients about their diagnosis.