Stroke is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in men and women after heart disease and cancer (Circulation 2008; 117: E25-e146). The incidence of stroke is approximately the same in men and women, but after 75 years is greater in women (Circulation 2008; 117: E25-e146; Lancet Neurol 2008; 7:915-926; Cerebrovasc Dis 2008; 26 :462-474). Disability that remains after a stroke is greater in women and the woman needs to remain in rehabilitation departments for a longer time than man (Cerebrovasc Dis 2008, 26:462-474). It is important to underline that the risk profile for stroke is different in men and women, in men there is a profile more similar to that for cardiovascular disease and one of the most important factor is smoking, while in women one of the most important risk factor is hypertension and also atrial fibrillation (Nat Clin Pract Neurol 2008; 4:22-33). The objective of this study is to understand the knowledge of risk factors for stroke and the perception of risk in women of middle age with at least one risk factor for stroke. 805 women aged between 50 and 70 years were selected by the University of Connecticut Cardiology Center with at least one risk factor for stroke. It was given them a questionnaire divided into 5 sections: Section 1 investigated knowledge of signs and symptoms and risk factors for stroke, Section 2 the perceived risk, Section 3 required the knowledge of their personal risk factors, the section 4 the parameters to access to health care and section 5 investigated the knowledge of the socio demographic data. The average age of the cohort was 63 years and 91.5% of women was white. 71.2% of women identified weakness and numbness as a warning sign, 34.1% identified vision changes, 33.6% dizziness and problems of balance, 32.2% headache, 26% confusion, 69.3% trouble speaking. Only 3.3% of women identified atrial fibrillation as a risk factor for stroke and 16.3% heart disease, and often women are not able to identify their risk factors. The authors in this analysis have shown that women are often unable to perceive their health condition as a risk factor for stroke, they underestimate the importance of adopting a correct behavior in primary prevention, the perception of risk is low and women at high risk perceive their risk of stroke similar to that their peers. Education strategies should be studied and have as their target those women at high risk. The authors properly emphasize the limits of their work: the women are mostly Caucasians, only part of the cohort responded to the questionnaire and they live in a suburban area.