Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in America, and almost one-fourth of the U.S. population has some form of cardiovascular disease. Knowing your risk factors – and how to minimize them – can help you protect yourself and your loved ones. Take the following quiz to find out how much you know about heart health.
1. The human heart is an incredible machine. About how much blood does the average heart pump each day?
a. Two gallons
b. 20 gallons
c. 200 gallons
d. 2,000 gallons
2. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous activity can help reduce the risk of heart disease. How much physical activity does the American Heart Association recommend people get most days of the week?
a. 10 minutes
b. 20 minutes
c. 30 to 60 minutes
d. Two hours
3. According to the American Heart Association, 39% of U.S. adults report getting no leisure-time physical activity. Which of the following tips can help you be more active?
a. Make exercising a social occasion
b. Start slowly and build up gradually
c. Look for opportunities to add activity to your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator
d. All of the above
4. Being overweight forces your heart to work harder and increases your risk of which of the following?
a. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and stroke
b. Attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity
c. Vertigo
d. Chronic halitosis
5. A woman’s heart is ___ the size of a man’s heart, on average.
a. one-fourth
b. one-half
c. two-thirds
d. three-fourths
6. Which of the following are NOT heart-friendly foods?
a. Low-fat dairy products
b. Foods high in fat and sodium
c. Whole grains
d. High-fiber foods
7. How much higher is a smoker's risk of heart attack than a nonsmoker's?
a. Half as high as a nonsmoker's
b. It's the same
c. Twice as high
d. Impossible to determine
8. Which of the following conditions are significant risk factors for heart disease, but can be controlled with lifestyle changes and medication?
a. Diabetes
b. High blood pressure
c. High blood cholesterol
d. All of the above
Answers: 1.d, 2.c, 3.d, 4.a, 5.c, 6.b, 7.c, 8.d
Scoring: 7-8: You’re heart smart! 4-6: You’ve got the beat, but keep learning more. 0-3: It’s time to pump up your knowledge about heart health.