Background The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with prehospital delays in patients with acute ischaemic stroke who are indicated to receive thrombolysis if arriving within 2 h.

Methods Data were prospectively collected from patients eligible for intravenous thrombolytic treatment if arriving within the therapeutic time window. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they arrived within 2 h to understand factors associated prehospital delay.

Results The non-delayed group included 27 patients (14.7%) and the delayed group included 157 patients (85.3%). The factors associated with prehospital delays after symptom onset were worsening of symptoms, development of symptoms at home and arrival at the emergency department (ED) by self or from other institutes. Those with a risk of atrial fibrillation arrived earlier at the ED.

Conclusions Early symptom recognition and arrival at the hospital are important in acute stroke. Further effort to improve these parameters should be made in terms of public health.