A popular proverb goes, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The proverb is speaking metaphorically about one’s spiritual heart, but when it comes to your literal, physical heart, it’s still pretty good advice. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., according to the CDC. It’s responsible for one out of every five deaths in this country. While there are some risk factors for heart disease that are outside of our control, the good news is that many of the risk factors for heart disease are ones that can be controlled. Take our quiz to learn how to literally guard your heart.
1. True or false? The greater the number of risk factors you have for heart disease and the greater the severity of each factor, the higher your overall risk of developing heart disease.
2. Heart disease includes which of the following conditions?
A. Heart attack
B. Stroke
C. Arrhythmia
D. Heart valve problems
E. All of the above
3. Which of the following are risk factors outside your control that increase your risk of developing heart disease?
A. Heredity. A family history of heart disease can make it more likely that you will develop heart disease.
B. Age. The more you age, the greater your chances of developing heart disease.
C. Race. Heart disease is the leading killer of Caucasians, African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and it is the second cause of death for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanics.
D. All of the above
4. Which of the following are risk factors that are within your control that increase your risk of heart disease?
A. Having high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
B. Obesity and/or diabetes
C. An unhealthy diet and/or a lack of physical activity
D. Excessive alcohol use and/or smoking
E. All of the above
5. Which of the following is NOT a way that you can affect your risk for heart disease where uncontrollable risk factors are concerned?
A. Get annual testing concerning blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
B. Taking a multivitamin
C. Take all medications for health issues as prescribed by your doctor
D. None of the above
6. Which of the following are ways to reduce your risk of heart disease where controllable risks are concerned?
A. Eat a healthy diet.
B. Get regular exercise.
C. Quit smoking.
D. Limit alcohol use.
E. All of the above
7. True or false? Exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk for heart disease for nonsmokers.
8. Alcohol can raise blood pressure levels, and it also increases levels of triglycerides, a fatty substance in the blood, both of which can increase the risk for heart disease. Which of the following are the suggested daily limits for alcohol?
A. One drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
B. Two drinks a day for women and three drinks a day for men.
C. Three drinks a day for women and four drinks a day for men.
D. Four drinks a day for women and five drinks a day for men.
9. True or false? Heart disease can be “silent” and not diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms, such as having a heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
10. There are many different symptoms of heart disease, and they depend on the condition affecting the heart. Which of the following are common symptoms?
A. Shortness of breath and/or fatigue.
B. Irregular heartbeat, called arrhythmia, where the heart may beat too slow, too fast, or irregularly.
C. Chest pain or discomfort, or fluttering in the chest
D. Dizziness, feeling faint, lightheadedness.
E. Swollen legs, ankles or feet.
F. All of the above
compiled by ERIKA ALDRICH/ Information from CDC, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Mayo Clinic.
ANSWERS:
- True; additional risk factors compound your risk of developing heart disease.
- E. All of the above
- D. All of the above
- E. All of the above
- B. Taking a multivitamin.
- E. All of the above
- True
- A. One drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
- True
- F. All of the above