Pop Quiz: Knowing your heart disease and stroke risk

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Are you controlling those health factors within reach?

For men, heart disease and stroke together are responsible for nearly 30 percent of all deaths in the U.S., and many of those are preventable. Every man out there should be aware of the health dangers that can lead to heart disease or stroke. While some contributing factors for stroke and heart disease are outside of a man’s control, there are many that are controllable. To lower their risk, all men should measure their personal risk factors and—with the help of a doctor—minimize or control those factors that are within reach.

1) What are the risk factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke that are out of a man’s control?

  1. Age
  2. Gender
  3. Heredity (Including Race)
  4. Having suffered a heart attack or stroke in the past
  5. All of the Above

2) True or False: Stroke rates are higher for men than women at younger ages.

 

3) What is the leading cause of death of men in the U.S.?

  1. Stroke
  2. Cancer
  3. Heart Disease
  4. Unintentional Injuries

4) Which of the following are risk factors for heart disease and stroke that can be controlled?

  1. Bad habits like smoking and alcohol consumption
  2. Health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
  3. Wellness issues like obesity and physical activity
  4. A diet that is high in fat, salt, and cholesterol
  5. All of the Above

5) After what age does the risk of a stroke double every decade a person is alive?

  1. 45
  2. 65
  3. 55
  4. 75

6) True or False: A man’s race affects his chances of suffering from heart disease or having a stroke.

 

7) What are steps a man can take to decrease his risk of stroke or heart disease?

  1. Following a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly
  2. Quitting the use of tobacco products
  3. Drinking alcohol only in moderation
  4. Seeing a doctor regularly for check-ups
  5. All of the Above

8) What is a man’s goal for Total Cholesterol in order to reduce his risk of heart disease or stroke?

  1. Under 200 mg/dL
  2. Over 200 mg/dL
  3. Exactly 200 mg/dL
  4. None of the Above

9) What is an unproven—though likely—contributing factor to the risk of heart disease and stroke?

  1. Employment
  2. Stress
  3. Marital Status
  4. Children

10) True or False? Having a heart attack does not increase the risk of having a stroke in the future.

 

Resources: Information provided by everydaychoices.org, the National Stroke Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ANSWERS

Answer 1: E) All of the Above. According to everydaychoices.org, there are four risk factors for heart disease and stroke that are unchangeable and uncontrollable. The more risk factors a man has, the greater the chances of suffering a stroke or heart attack.

Answer 2: True. According to the National Stroke Association, while women suffer more strokes than men overall, men are more likely than women to have a stroke at a young age.

Answer 3: C) Heart Disease. According to the latest data (2010) from the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in all males; Stroke is the fifthleading cause of death.

Answer 4: D) All of the Above. Some contributing factors for heart disease and stroke risk are controllable.

Answer 5: C) 55. The NSA maintains that the risk of stroke doubles every 10 years after age 55.

Answer 6: True. African Americans have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, as do Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians, and some Asian Americans. There are many reasons for the higher risk, such as higher rates of obesity and diabetes.

Answer 7: E) All of the Above. It is important to manage those contributing factors that are controllable, especially if a man has one or more uncontrollable factors, such as a family history of heart disease or stroke.

Answer 8: A) Under 200 mg/dL. A man’s doctor will also assess “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels, as well as triglyceride levels.

Answer 9: B) Stress. Although science has not yet proven a direct connection, unhealthy levels of stress likely increase a man’s risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke.

Answer 10: False. Having either a heart attack or a stroke greatly increases a man’s chances of having a stroke in the future.

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