Conclusions Stroke secondary prevention lifestyle interventions are effective in terms of affecting positive change in relation to lifestyle behaviours , physiological and secondary outcomes .
However , there was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of intervention on incidence of stroke recurrence .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background Each year , approximately 15 million people worldwide have a stroke ; of these , five million die and another five million are chronically disabled .
Stroke recurs in approximately 25 % of patients during the first five years post-stroke ; recurrence may result in death , increased disability or institutionalisation .
Modifiable risk factors for recurrent stroke have been identified , and may be addressed by means of behavioural health promotion interventions .
Objectives This systematic review sought to establish the effectiveness of secondary prevention behavioural interventions , which address one or more modifiable lifestyle risk factors for recurrent stroke i.e. tobacco use , unhealthy diet , physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption .
Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors, Warning Symptoms, and Treatment Among an Australian Urban Population
Background and Purpose — Reduction in the risk of stroke and increase in the speed of hospital presentation after the onset of stroke both depend on the level of knowledge of stroke in the general population . The aim of the present study was to assess baseline knowledge regarding stroke risk factors , symptoms , treatment , and information re sources . Methods — A community-based telephone interview survey was conducted in the Newcastle urban area in Australia . A total of 1278 potential participants between the ages of 18 to 80 were selected at r and om from an electronic telephone directory . A trained telephone interviewer conducted a telephone survey using the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing ( CATI ) program . Results — A total of 822 participants completed the telephone interview . Six hundred three participants ( 73.4 % ) correctly identified the brain as the affected organ in stroke . The most common risk factors for stroke identified by respondents were smoking ( identified by 324 [ 39.4 % ] ) and stress ( identified by 277 [ 33.7 % ] ) . The most common warning sign of stroke described by respondents was “ blurred and double vision or loss of vision in an eye , ” listed by 198 ( 24.1 % ) . A total of 626 ( 76.2 % ) respondents correctly listed ≥1 established stroke risk factor , but only 409 ( 49.8 % ) respondents correctly listed ≥1 warning sign . Conclusions — The level of knowledge in the community of established stroke risk factors , warning signs , and treatment as indicated by this survey suggests that a community-based education program to increase public knowledge of stroke may contribute to reducing the risk of stroke and to increasing the speed of hospital presentation after the onset of stroke
Conclusions Stroke secondary prevention lifestyle interventions are effective in terms of affecting positive change in relation to lifestyle behaviours , physiological and secondary outcomes .
However , there was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of intervention on incidence of stroke recurrence .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background Each year , approximately 15 million people worldwide have a stroke ; of these , five million die and another five million are chronically disabled .
Stroke recurs in approximately 25 % of patients during the first five years post-stroke ; recurrence may result in death , increased disability or institutionalisation .
Modifiable risk factors for recurrent stroke have been identified , and may be addressed by means of behavioural health promotion interventions .
Objectives This systematic review sought to establish the effectiveness of secondary prevention behavioural interventions , which address one or more modifiable lifestyle risk factors for recurrent stroke i.e. tobacco use , unhealthy diet , physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption .