Abstract: Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of stroke and heart attack (HA) symptoms and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in elderly people who are at risk for CVD. Methods: Self-designed knowledge of stroke and heart attack (HA) symptoms and risk factors questionnaires were used to survey the 1120 older adults' knowledge in health examination centers of the second affiliated hospital of University of South China. Results: Knowledge of stroke/heart attack warning signs and CVD risk factors were very poor (average score 3.10/10, 4.98/15). The perception of stroke/heart attack warning signs and CVD risk factors were lower among older adults with no CVD (average score 2.80/10, 4.67/15)than that among older adults with CVD (average score 4.04/10, 5.97/15). The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Educational level and history of CVD was positively correlated with score of CVD knowledge, while age and cardiovascular risk level was negatively correlated with score of CVD knowledge. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Public education programs are needed, which would be designed to help elderly people with low education levels at risk for CVD to improve the awareness of stroke and HA.