RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Public knowledge of cardiovascular disease and response to acute cardiac events in three municipalities in Brazil JF Open Heart JO Open Heart FD British Cardiovascular Society SP e001322 DO 10.1136/openhrt-2020-001322 VO 7 IS 2 A1 Bartlett, Emily S A1 Flor, Luisa S A1 Medeiros, Danielle Souto A1 Colombara, Danny V A1 Johanns, Casey K A1 Camargo Vaz, Fernando Antonio A1 Wilson, Shelley A1 Duber, Herbert C YR 2020 UL http://openheart.bmj.com/content/7/2/e001322.abstract AB Objective To conduct a landscape assessment of public knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and acute myocardial infarction symptoms, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) awareness and training in three underserved communities in Brazil.Methods A cross-sectional, population-based survey of non-institutionalised adults age 30 or greater was conducted in three municipalities in Eastern Brazil. Data were analysed as survey-weighted percentages of the sampled populations.Results 3035 surveys were completed. Overall, one-third of respondents was unable to identify at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor and 25% unable to identify at least one myocardial infarction symptom. A minority of respondents had received training in CPR or were able to identify an AED. Low levels of education and low socioeconomic status were consistent predictors of lower knowledge levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors, acute coronary syndrome symptoms and CPR and AED use.Conclusions In three municipalities in Eastern Brazil, overall public knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and symptoms, as well as knowledge of appropriate CPR and AED use was low. Our findings indicate the need for interventions to improve public knowledge and response to acute cardiovascular events in Brazil as a first step towards improving health outcomes in this population. Significant heterogeneity in knowledge seen across sites and socioeconomic strata indicates a need to appropriately target such interventions.