Half of Scots unaware of what stroke is, finds poll

ONLY around half of people in Scotland know what a stroke is – despite it being the third most common cause of death and the leading cause of impairment and disability, research shows.

The Stroke Association’s Ipsos Mori Poll revealed 54 per cent of people had knowledge of stroke, but found there was a lack of awareness that strokes are preventable and that they can be treated to help people recover.

Maddy Halliday, Stroke Association director for Scotland, said: “People need to be aware of stroke as it really is a big issue in this country. The fact we have an ageing population and with obesity and diabetes on the increase is only going to make the problem worse. People really need to make a link to the brain, and we often refer a stroke as a brain attack to convey this.”

About 10 per cent of people questioned said they tended to agree that there was nothing you could do to prevent a stroke or treat a stroke.

Ms Halliday added: “Many strokes are preventable. There are many modifiable risk factors for having a stroke such as a healthy diet – particularly reducing salt intake, drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking and taking regular exercise.”

“Today is World Stroke Day and this is a great opportunity for people to think about stroke, recognise it as a brain attack and that something can be done about it.”