Improving services for younger stroke survivors and their families

Recognising stroke and seeking assistanceMuch of the information in this section wasderived from relatives or carers, becausemany survivors remembered little about thestroke event and the time periodimmediately around it. YSS and their carersspoke of difficulty recognising the symptomsof stroke. They reported being reluctant tocontact GPs out of hours, or emergencyservices. A number of survivors and theircarers reported having received a differentdiagnosis initially and being reticent aboutasking for further assistance.Several stroke survivors and/or their carersreported having experienced a great deal ofstress prior to the stroke, e.g. overwork,losing a job, family problems. Because wedid not have any form of control group wedo not know how the daily lives of ourparticipants compared to other peopleliving in similar environments. Neverthelesswe believe that the events preceding thestroke are important in that they mayimpact on an individual’s resilience andability to cope at that time.A number of YSS reported that their healthhad been poor for a long period prior totheir stroke, while others recalled a gradualonset of illness and remarked that theywere perhaps aware of early symptoms andthat something was wrong. Carersreported that the survivor had experiencedmood changes or altered behaviourpatterns prior to the stroke; in some casesthey had encouraged the YSS to visit theirGP because they had felt that somethingwas wrong.Several YSS had experienced what theirrelative or carer described as a warningprior to the stroke event. Seven reportedhaving had at least one TIA, while othershad high blood pressure or heart problems.Other survivors felt that the stroke hadoccurred out of the blue, describing a fit andactive lifestyle leading up to the event:“At the time I was fit, I went to the gym…I’mnot a heavy drinker and I eat the right things.Everyone kept saying ‘You’re the last person I’dexpect to suffer something like that.’”Several of the YSS confused their earlysymptoms with other conditions anddelayed calling for medical help after theirinitial onset. A number were diabetic andattributed symptoms to the condition.There was a lack of awareness of theincreased risk of stroke amongst diabetics.Relatives’ or carers’ involvement in thestroke event varied with their relationshipto the stroke survivor and the timing ofonset. Realising that someone is in need ofhelp often falls to those around them at thetime, and it can be difficult for people torecognise what is happening and to thenchoose an appropriate course of action.The symptoms described by participantsvaried widely. Relatives or carers who werepresent when the stroke occurreddescribed the ambiguity of initial symptoms:“I thought I noticed something about herface… but I thought it was just myimagination…”7Improving services for younger stroke survivors and their families