Stroke And Cerebrovascular Risk Factors Knowledge In Patients Admitted To A Cardiovascular Ward. (P1.135)

Objectives: To explore the knowledge about stroke and cerebrovascular risk factors (RF) in patients admitted on a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Background: A better knowledge of stroke risk factors and management in the hazard population may lead to improvement in stroke outcome. Design and methods 101 patients were prospectively studied within 12-hours of admission to Coronary or Intermediate Cardiovascular Care Units. An adapted version of the Stroke Awareness Questionnaire was administered with 9 open and 6 dichotomise questions. Exclusion criteria: consent rejection or inability to answer. Results 100 patients (one refused to answer). 62% men, average age 65-years-old (17-96). Maximum educational level achieved: 29% elementary, 39% high- School, 16% tertiary and 16% academic. Geographic distribution: 33% lived in metropolitan area, 46% suburbs and 21% provinces. Medical care financing: 42% private insurance, 27% unions´ administered insurance and 31% public financing. 58% were hypertensive, 46% dyslipidemic, 18% diabetic, and 12% had a smoking history. 43% had a record of coronary artery disease (CAD), 38% arrhythmias, 27% family history of CAD, 8% stroke and 13% CAD + stroke. Admission diagnosis: 49%CAD, 14% cardiovascular surgery preop,17% arrhytmias,7% heart failure,2% syncope and 11% other causes. 94% of patients had 蠅1 medical consultations during the last year. Stroke definition: 29% a “blood clot”, 14% hemorrhage, 16% “some sort of brain problem”, 13% didn’t know and 8% others. Stroke signs and symptoms: 27% recognized limbs weakness, 15% speech problems, 17% cognitive alterations, 3% headache and 3% visual abnormalities. Only 54% would call an ambulance, 54% ignored any stroke treatment and 2% heard about thrombolysis. Conclusion: Even in these selected population, with previous or current CVD, a large amount of RF and a high rate of previous medical consultations, knowledge about stroke showed to be very low indicating a poor quality of preventive measures and the need to emphasize educational interventions. Disclosure: Dr. Munoz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gonzalez Toledo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pagani Cassara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tamargo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thomson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nadile has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ferre has nothing to disclose. Dr. Klein has nothing to disclose.