Table 3.

Knowledge of Heart Attack and Stroke Warning Signs (N=298)

	% Accurately Identifying Each Symptom
	Current Sample	National Comparison Data
Symptoms of Heart Attack a
Jaw, Neck, or Back Pain/Discomfort	27.3%*	47.6% – 50.8%
Feeling Weak, Lightheaded, or Faint	41.8%*	61.7% – 65.0%
Chest Pain or Discomfort	78.4%*	92.1% – 94.9%
Arm or Shoulder Pain/Discomfort	57.3%*	85.1% – 88.9%
Shortness of Breath	64.1%*	87.3% – 93.4%
Overall Knowledge of Heart Attack
% of Symptoms Correctly Identified	53.7%	---
% Correctly Identifying All 5 Symptoms	16.2%*	30.6%
Symptoms of Stroke b
Sudden Confusion or Trouble Speaking	65.2%*	86.5% – 95.6%
Sudden Numbness or Weakness of Face/Arm/Leg	74.7%*	92.6% – 97.5%
Sudden Trouble Seeing in One or Both Eyes	47.3%*	68.1% – 88.3%
Sudden Trouble Walking/Dizziness/Loss of Balance	62.5%*	83.4% – 94.7%
Severe Headache with No Known Cause	34.1%*	60.4% – 81.6%
Overall Knowledge of Stroke
% of Symptoms Correctly Identified	56.9%	---
% Correctly Identifying All 5 Symptoms	19.9%	---
What do if Someone Has a Heart Attack/Stroke c
Call 911	85.9%	85.9% – 87.7%

^aAccurate identification of each symptom of heart attack in the current sample was compared to previously reported studies using national BRFSS data.^24,34 Percentage of participants recognizing all five symptoms was compared with data reported using 2005 BRFSS data.²⁴

^bAccurate identification of each symptom of stroke in the current sample was compared to previously reported studies using national BRFSS data.^33,35–37

^cRecognition of the importance of calling 911 when someone is having a heart attack or stroke was compared with national BRFSS data.^24,33–37

^*p < 0.0001