How Much Do You Know About a Woman’s Heart?

Knowing the facts could save a life—maybe your own! Take this quiz and see how knowledgeable you are about women’s heart health.

ANSWERS
1. False. They’re 10 times more likely to die of heart disease, which kills more American women than all cancers combined. Public awareness is improving on this subject, but 50 percent of women still think breast cancer is their biggest health risk.

2. False. More than 80 percent are at risk, because that’s how many women have at least one heart disease risk factor. The major risk factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking and a family history of heart disease.

3. True. The classic male symptom is chest pain that comes on with exertion. Women are less likely to have chest pain and more likely to have abdominal, neck or shoulder pain, fatigue, nausea or shortness of breath.

4. True. The main reason is that women are more likely to ignore their symptoms and delay getting medical care.

5. False. It’s true that before menopause, estrogen may protect you against early heart disease. But it doesn’t eliminate your risk. You lose estrogen’s protective effect if you have uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure, obesity, a family history of heart disease or if you smoke even a couple of cigarettes a day.

6. False. While some heart disease risks, like family history, are beyond your control, heart disease is very preventable. If you exercise regularly, eat a heart-healthy diet, avoid smoking and keep your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure under control, you’ll reduce your risk significantly.

7. True. You just need regular aerobic exercise—the kind that raises your heart rate for a sustained period of time. Brisk walking is fine! Studies show that even if you’re overweight, your heart disease risk will be much lower if you exercise regularly.

8. False. You can reduce your heart disease risk or even halt or reverse heart disease at any given moment in life, just by being aware and taking the time to change.

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