Results:

Women responding to the survey in 2012 were significantly more likely to be in the age groups of 45-54 and 55-64 years, to be married/cohabitating, and to have a household income of $75,000 or more compared with 1997 respondents. In 2012, there were more white women than other racial/ethnic minorities who were ≥65 years old. Hispanic women were more likely to be in the youngest age strata compared with white and black women. Personal medical history of respondents revealed a high prevalence of CVD risk factors, consistent with other national data. Between 1997 and 2012, the rate of awareness of CVD as the leading cause of death nearly doubled (56% vs. 30%; p < 0.001). The rate of awareness among black and Hispanic women in 2012 (36% and 34%, respectively) was similar to that of white women in 1997 (33%). In 1997, women were more likely to cite cancer than CVD as the leading killer (35% vs. 30%), but in 2012, the trend reversed (24% vs. 56%). Awareness of atypical symptoms of CVD has improved since 1997, but remains low. The most common reasons why women took preventive action were to improve health and to feel better, not to live longer.