Most stroke patients do not receive treatment because they arrive at the hospital too late.
According to a recent study, only around 11% of patients called an ambulance immediately. 89% asked someone else for advice first.
Unfortunately only around 30% of the people who they contacted for advice recommended that the patient should call an ambulance.
Because stroke patients and the people they ask for advice don’t know the symptoms of stroke, and because unlike heart attacks or other acute illnesses stroke patients don’t seem in pain, patients typically don’t respond emergently.
Typical responses are to lie down or take a bath or wait to see if the symptoms persist. Others ask for help from general practitioners or pharmacists which may eventually lead to ultimate diagnosis, but in the process the time available to save the brain is running out fast.
