AWARENESS OF THE RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS OF STROKE IN NEUROLOGY UNIT PATIENTS

Aim – to study the awareness of the risk factors of stroke among the representatives of the Moscow population. Materials and methods. Using a specially designed semi-quantitative questionnaire comprising 39 open and closed questions, a survey was conducted in 500 patients with ischemic stroke, chronic cerebrovascular diseases, pain syndromes being treated in the neurological departments of three Moscow hospitals, and 45 relatives of patients with ischemic stroke. Results and conclusion. The present study showed low awareness of the neurological department patients about risk factors and symptoms of stroke in general, and the lack of expertise in patients with high risk of stroke. The findings suggest the need for educational programs to raise awareness of stroke in general population and for people at risk for stroke.