Awareness of Warning Symptoms of Heart Disease and Stroke: Results of a Follow-up Study of the Chinese Canadian Cardiovascular Health Project

Background Our original pilot study in 2008 demonstrated a poor degree of awareness of heart disease and stroke among Chinese Canadians, warranting an updated survey of their knowledge. We sought to determine the current degree of knowledge of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, among ethnic Chinese residents of Canada. Methods A 35-question online survey was conducted in the fall of 2017 among 1001 Chinese Canadians (aged ≥ 18 years) in the greater Toronto area (n = 501) and Vancouver (n = 500). Knowledge of heart disease and stroke, such as signs and symptoms of stroke and heart attack, health habits, and initial response to a cardiovascular emergency were assessed. Results A total of 52.0% of the respondents were female, and 46.3% were aged <45 years. A total of 40.1% spoke Cantonese, and 23.7% spoke Mandarin; 79.5% were immigrants, and 31% had lived in Canada < 10 years. A total of 85% identified at least one heart attack symptom, and 80% identified at least one stroke symptom; 86.2% indicated that they would call 911 if experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Internet use was positively associated with the ability to identify a greater number of heart attack and stroke symptoms, compared to the number among non–Internet users (P < 0.001). Women were 14% more likely to overlook gender as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Conclusions This study found that in 2017, compared to 2008, awareness of symptoms of heart disease and stroke improved among Chinese Canadians residing in Toronto and Vancouver.