One-minute quiz: women at risk for heart disease

by Carolyn Thomas  ♥  @HeartSisters

Are you a ticking time bomb when it comes to your risks of having a heart attack? Tick away here instead – tick all statements in the quiz below that apply to you.  

__Tobacco Smoke:  I smoke (any amount), OR I live or work with people who smoke tobacco regularly.

__Age and Sex: I am a woman over 50 years old, OR I have passed menopause OR had my ovaries removed.

__Cardiac Family History: My father or brother had a heart attack before the age of 55, OR my mother or sister had one before the age of 65, OR my mother, father, sister, brother or grandparent had a stroke.

__Sleep Problems: I have trouble getting a good night’s sleep.

__Blood Pressure: My blood pressure is higher than normal limits, OR a healthcare professional has said my blood pressure is too high, OR I don’t know what my blood pressure is.

__Cholesterol: I don’t know my total cholesterol number, OR I know that my HDL (good) cholesterol or LDL (bad) cholesterol numbers are not within normal limits.

__Physical Activity:  I get less than a total of 30 minutes of physical activity on most days.

__Pregnancy Complications: I have had preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, a full term/low birth weight baby, a miscarriage or other pregnancy complication, recently or even decades ago

__Overweight: I am 20 pounds/9 kilograms or more overweight for my height and build.

__Diabetes: I have diabetes, OR I need medicine to control my blood sugar.

__Stress: I have trouble managing my chronic stress.

__Stroke Family History: I’ve been told that I have carotid artery disease, OR I’ve had a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack), OR I have Peripheral Artery Disease (affecting the feet or legs), a high red blood cell count, or sickle cell anemia.

 Source: World Heart Federation

If you tick two or more, see your doctor immediately for a complete risk assessment and develop a plan to manage/reduce your heart disease risk factors.

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