Take a Heart Health Quiz today to determine where you fall on the heart fitness scale.
Heart health is extremely important – one easy improvement is to start mixing more colors into your meals.
And, don’t forget to enter the Gustavus Fit Bit Giveaway! Click here to enter.
Know your numbers? Take the Heart Health Quiz!
What’s your blood pressure?
- Below 120/80 (0)
- Between 120/80 and 140/90 (+1)
- Above 140/90 (+3)
- Don’t know (+1)
What’s your cholesterol?
- HDL (“good”) above 50, LDL (“bad”) below 130, triglycerides (fat levels in the blood) less that 150 (0)
- Any of the following: HDL below 50, LDL above 130, triglycerides above 150 (+2)
- Don’t know (+1)
How often do you eat fried foods?
- Once a month (+1)
- Several times a month (+2)
- Never (0)
Does anyone in your family have heart disease?
- Yes, my mother had problems before age 65, or my father before age 55 (+2)
- No (0)
- Don’t know (+1)
On a typical weekend night, you:
- Have one glass of wine or beer (+1)
- Have more than one glass of alcohol (+2)
- Skip the alcohol (0)
How many cigarettes have you smoked this week?
- None (0)
- Just a few (+3)
- Half a pack or more each day (+8)
How many colors were in your last meal?
- 1 – for example, chicken and rice (+2)
- 2 to 4 – some vegetables (+1)
- 4 or more – for example, a salad and some vegetables (0)
How do you feel after climbing three flights of stairs?
- Fine or even energized (0)
- Winded (+1)
- Who knows? I never climb stairs (+2)
What’s your body mass index (BMI)? www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm
- 5 to 24.9 (0)
- 25 to 29.9 (+1)
- 30 or above (+2)
Results:
0-2: You are on the right track. Exercise, eating right and avoiding cigarettes can help prevent 80 percent of heart disease. Keep up the great work!
3-7: One or two harmful habits can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Make the commitment to one healthy behavior change, like exercising or quitting smoking.
8 or higher: Get to the doctor and ask for help in reducing your risk.
Teri Erhardt is a WELCOA Faculty Member, a Certified Natural Health Professional, has a B.S. in Holistic Nutrition, and is a Wellcoaches Certified wellness coach. She is passionate about helping people discover the gift of well-being!