Discussion
The results of the present study indicate a deficiency of knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors in pa- tients hospitalized with acute TIA or stroke. Two thirds of the patients identified numbness or weakness as stroke symptom, whereas less than half identified speech distur- bances. Only 1 in 6 were able to name all 3 FAST elements ‘‘facial weakness,’’ ‘‘arm weakness,’’ and ‘‘speech distur- bance’’. Approximately 4 of 10 patients knew at least 1 risk factor of stroke, smoking and hypertension being the most frequently identified. The proportion of those with a certain risk factor and identifying it as such was low. Previous stroke was neither recognized as a risk fac- tor nor associated with better knowledge. Lower age, higher education, and having received information on stroke at an earlier stage predicted adequate knowledge of stroke symptoms, whereas only lower age was related to adequate knowledge of stroke risk factors.