If you think that a sudden chest pain is a symptom of stroke, you have some reading up to do.

You may not, however, be the only one scrambling for information on how to identify the symptoms. Thousands are in the same boat, according to website WebMD.

It reported that a telephone survey of over 70,000 adults in 13 American states and Washington, D.C. has revealed that shockingly few people know the warning signs of a stroke.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysed data from the 2005 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and found that fewer than one in five people surveyed correctly recognised all five stroke warning symptoms, knew when to call an ambulance and could identify an incorrect symptom of stroke.

The CDC said that these are the five warning symptoms of a stroke:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the arms, legs, or face, especially on one side

• Sudden vision problem in one or both eyes

• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or difficulty in walking

• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Recognising stroke warning symptoms promptly and seeking immediate emergency care can mean the difference between life and death or disability.

Patients whose stroke is caused by an interruption of the blood supply to the brain (blood clot) can be treated with clot-busting drugs, but such medicines should be given within three hours of symptom onset.

Other types of strokes may require immediate surgery to prevent serious disability or death

Clot-busting drugs should be given within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset

This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on August 6, 2008.