Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women, but fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your health. Take this quiz to see how much you know about heart health-just in time for Valentine's Day.
1. True or False: Heart disease accounts for approximately 900,000 deaths in the United States each year.
The answer is true. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 930,000 Americans die as a result of heart disease each year. That number translates to one death every 33 seconds.
2. True or False: Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension.
The answer is true. Blood pressure refers to the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can lead to coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other heart problems.
3. True or False: The average adult heart beats 200 times per minute.
The answer is false. The average adult heart beats about 70 times a minute, although the hearts of athletes may beat as slowly as 40 times a minute. This is because their hearts are larger and can pump more blood with each heartbeat. You don't have to become an elite athlete in order to benefit from exercise, though. Moderate exercise on most days of the week can strengthen your heart, reducing your risk for conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.
4. True or False: Veins carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
The answer is false. Veins carry blood to the heart from the lungs or other parts of the body. Arteries carry blood away from the heart to supply oxygen and nutrients to the body. Capillaries act as the go-between, transporting blood from arteries to veins.
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