Pump It Up! Heart Health Quiz


4 Min Quiz

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About This Quiz

The heart is a pump, and like other pumps, break down and need repair. And it does break down for many people -- heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. How much do you know about the dangers that threaten it?

What is infarction?

If cell death occurs, it's called infarction. Since a heart attack is cell death of heart muscle, it's called a myocardial infarction.


If the coronary artery is blocked, it causes angina. What happens if an artery near the brain is blocked?

A stroke occurs when one of the arteries near the brain is blocked.


What is the upper number of your blood pressure reading called?

Your blood pressure has two numbers. In a blood pressure reading, the upper number is called the systolic blood pressure, while the lower number is called the diastolic blood pressure.


What is considered a normal blood pressure?

A systolic blood pressure less than 140 and a diastolic blood pressure less than 90 are considered normal.


What kind of medication is used to treat hypertension works by excreting extra water and salt to lower blood pressure?

Diuretics, also known as "water pills," excrete extra water and salt to lower blood pressure. There are six classes of medications to treat hypertension.


If you're trying to keep your weight in check, what BMI (Body Mass Index) should you be aiming for?

A BMI of 20-25 is considered good, over 27 is considered overweight, and over 30 is considered obese. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease by increasing other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and low HDL (good cholesterol).


What's the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and cholesterol?

An elevated level of LDL (the bad cholesterol) is associated with an increased risk of CAD. An elevated level of HDL (the good cholesterol) is associated with a decreased risk of CAD.


How do beta blockers work?

Beta blockers decrease the heart rate and force of the heart's contraction by blocking the effects of the nervous system on the heart. Medications in this class include Propranolol, Metoprolol and Atenolol.


In 2006, a study reported that mice that were bred to develop atherosclerosis experienced a decrease in artery plaque buildup when they were fed vegetables. By what percentage did the artery plaque buildup decrease?



A study that tracked 1,300 senior citizens living in Massachusetts found that they were 60 percent less likely to have heart problems if they ate 1 cup a day of which vegetables?



How many times does the average heart expand and contract daily?

The average heart expands and contracts about 100,000 times each day.


What is the name of the test used to detect heart disease?

Doctors perform an angiogram to test for heart disease.


What diseases are adults with extra weight likely to have that can lead to heart disease?

Adults that carry extra weight are more likely to have high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. Both of these disorders are precursors to heart disease.


How many gallons of blood does the heart pump throughout the body?

The heart pumps 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of blood throughout the body.


How much more are smokers likely to die from heart disease than non-smokers?

Smokers are three times more likely to die from heart disease than non-smokers.


What is the C-reactive protein (CRP)?

CRP is a protein that reacts to inflammation. Studies show that patients with the highest levels of CRP are twice as likely to have a heart attact.


What two types of cholesterol affect your heart?

High levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and low levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. High levels of HDL cholesterol can prevent this buildup.


Which activity below can benefit your heart as well as harm?

Drinking alcohol in moderation can benefit the heart. There are also downsides to drinking alcohol excessively: alcoholism, cancer, liver disease, obesity and heart disease.


What is the name of the “bad gene” doctors say will likely develop into heart trouble?

Doctors say if you are born with LTC4S, you're four times as likely to develop heart disease later in life.


Sleep is important to heart health. Which of the following is NOT a good idea when it comes to sleep?

Women who slept more than nine hours per night were 37 percent more likely to have heart trouble. Eight hours of sleep is sufficient.


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