The red dress survey: Awareness among women in Western North Carolina of heart disease and stroke in women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to measure knowledge about cardiovascular disease (CVD) among low-income women in Western North Carolina. METHODS: A self-administered survey was distributed to a convenience sample of women presenting for obstetrical or gynecological care at resident and faculty clinics in Asheville, North Carolina, from July 2011 through February 2012. RESULTS: Responses from 340 completed surveys were analyzed. The response rate was 51.7%. The majority of respondents (57.1%) were either overweight or obese, and 23.2% reported that they currently use tobacco products. Overall, accuracy on knowledge questions ranged from 0% to 90%, with a mean score of 57.8% (SD = 16%). Women in their 20s, minorities, and smokers had lower knowledge scores (P = 0.03, 0.022, and 0.009, respectively). Gender variations in symptoms and consequences of CVD for women were not widely understood by this group. Most knew that it is appropriate to respond rapidly to symptoms of heart attack or stroke. Increasing daily physical activity and managing stress effectively were picked most often as the behavioral strategies patients might initiate or increase to reduce their health risks. LIMITATIONS: This was a convenience sample and the response rate was only 51.7%, so results maybe biased. CONCLUSIONS: This group's overall knowledge of CVD in women was poor, with most scores below 70%, and gaps in knowledge existed for minorities. These results are consistent with findings from national awareness surveys. Educational strategies need to include gender-specific risks, symptoms, and consequences, and they need to target tobacco users, minorities, and young adults. Resources are needed for obstetrician-gynecologists to use as they assist patients in becoming more aware of CVD and reducing personal risk through lifestyle modification.