While science has given doctors more weapons, they say cannot unleash the full fury of modern medicine until people know more about stroke. A Heart Association survey of 1,800 adults four years ago in Cincinnati found that many people didn't know any risk factors or symptoms. Doctors say that part of the ignorance is their fault. Now we have new therapies, it's more important. In addition to its plans to educate the public, the local Heart Association will target emergency medical personnel in doctors with a message that stroke should be treated as medical emergency that is treatable.
Doctors say they can do more to prevent a crisis.
Diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance, can find trouble spots, Alleyne says. Clots can be removed, or other types of surgery can protect the artery. Usually such tests are done only on people with risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of stroke. If smokers quit, and people take care of their hypertension or high cholesterol, he says, half of all strokes could be avoided. People for years have been ignoring that advice about other illnesses.