12:30pm Saturday 4th July 2009
MORE needs to be done to make people aware of the dangers of strokes, NHS officials say.
A recent survey of north east Essex patients showed one in five thought women were not at risk of strokes, while a third believed smoking did not affect their chance of having a stroke.
The results of the survey will be used to shape a stroke awareness campaign, to be jointly launched by the Essex Cardiac and the Stroke Network.
About 15 per cent of those asked thought strokes only affected the elderly, while the survey showed few people know obesity, high salt intake and excessive alcohol consumption could all add to the risks.
Linda Fox, Essex Cardiac and Stroke Network director, said: “This questionnaire was the largest exercise ever carried out in the county to find people’s views and knowledge of what strokes are all about.
“The results have been very revealing, to say the least, and will play an important part in shaping our future stroke awareness strategy.
“On the whole, I am pleasantly surprised by the level of knowledge.
“However, there is clearly room for improvement if we are going to make people fully aware of the seriousness of strokes and the importance of reacting quickly if a stroke attack is suspected.”
For more information on local stroke services, call 01206 286769 or go to www.essexcardiacservices.nhs.uk
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