Table 3 Heart Attack and Stroke Symptomology Knowledge Questions With Percent Incorrect and Correct Responses for US Adults By Race/Ethnicity. Amalgamated 2005, 2007 and 2009 BRFSS Data
Survey Question (correct answer) | Race Ethnicity | Total US | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caucasian | African American | Native American | Hispanic | ||
Do you think pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back are symptoms of a heart attack? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 43.4 | 62.2 | 50.8 | 68.8 | 47.8 |
 Correct Answer | 56.6 | 37.8 | 49.2 | 31.2 | 52.2 |
Do you think feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint are symptoms of a heart attack? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 34.5 | 46.6 | 38.3 | 46.8 | 37.1 |
 Correct Answer | 65.5 | 53.4 | 61.7 | 53.2 | 62.9 |
Do you think chest pain or discomfort are symptoms for a heart attack? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 5.4 | 12.2 | 8.6 | 18.7 | 7.3 |
 Correct Answer | 94.6 | 87.8 | 91.4 | 81.3 | 92.7 |
Do you think sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes is a symptom of a heart attack? (No) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 56.6 | 59.5 | 60.9 | 61.6 | 57.4 |
 Correct Answer | 43.4 | 40.5 | 39.1 | 38.4 | 42.6 |
Do you think pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders are symptoms of a heart attack? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 10.0 | 24.9 | 13.9 | 32.0 | 13.6 |
 Correct Answer | 90.0 | 75.1 | 86.1 | 68.0 | 86.4 |
Do you think shortness of breath is a symptom of a heart attack? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 13.0 | 20.3 | 18.5 | 25.8 | 14.9 |
 Correct Answer | 87.0 | 79.7 | 81.5 | 74.2 | 85.1 |
Do you think sudden confusion or trouble speaking are symptoms of a stroke? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 7.8 | 17.0 | 14.8 | 31.4 | 10.8 |
 Correct Answer | 92.2 | 83.0 | 85.2 | 68.6 | 89.2 |
Do you think sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side are symptoms of a stroke? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 4.5 | 9.6 | 7.8 | 19.8 | 6.3 |
 Correct Answer | 95.5 | 90.4 | 92.2 | 80.2 | 93.7 |
Do you think sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes is a symptom of a stroke? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 25.9 | 36.7 | 32.2 | 44.0 | 28.7 |
 Correct Answer | 74.1 | 63.3 | 67.8 | 56.0 | 71.3 |
Do you think sudden chest pain or discomfort are symptoms of a stroke? (No) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 57.3 | 70.1 | 64.8 | 63.9 | 59.6 |
 Correct Answer | 42.7 | 29.9 | 35.2 | 36.1 | 40.4 |
Do you think sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance are symptoms of a stroke? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 12.4 | 20.8 | 19.4 | 29.7 | 14.8 |
 Correct Answer | 87.6 | 79.2 | 80.6 | 70.3 | 85.2 |
Do you think severe headache with no known cause is a symptom of a stroke? (Yes) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 37.7 | 42.1 | 47.5 | 42.7 | 38.8 |
 Correct Answer | 62.3 | 57.9 | 52.5 | 57.3 | 61.2 |
If you thought someone was having a heart attack or a stroke, what is the first thing you would do? (call 911) | |||||
 Incorrect Answer | 12.6 | 13.4 | 17.4 | 17.0 | 13.0 |
 Correct Answer | 87.4 | 86.6 | 82.6 | 83.0 | 87.0 |