What is Your Heart Disease Risk?

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what is your risk of getting heart disease?

By Ingrid McAteer, in cooperation with Dr. Elizabeth McNally, director of cardiovascular research at the University of Chicago

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Each year coronary disorders take the lives of a quarter-million women, far surpassing deaths from all cancers combined—including breast cancer. You’re never too young to start living heart-healthy, and never too old to find out how to do it. Start here with our quiz. But remember, even if you get a “low risk” result, it’s no substitute for a trip to your doctor with a list of questions about your own heart health.

1. How old are you?

A. 39 or younger
B. 40–54
C. 55–64
D. 65–74
E. 75 or older

2. What is your weight range?

A. Obese (20 percent or more above desired weight for your height)
B. Overweight
C. Average weight
D. Underweight

3. Do you smoke?

A. Yes
B. No

4. Do you drink alcohol?

A. No
B. 1–2 drinks per week
C. 1 drink per day
D. 2 or more drinks per day

5. What is your blood pressure?

A. Not more than 115/75 mmHg
B. Not more than 120/80 mmHg
C. Not more than 130/90 mmHg
D. In the range of 140–159 over 91–100 mmHg
E. More than 160/101 mmHg
F. I don’t know my blood pressure

6. Do you limit your salt intake to 2,400 mg a day (about one teaspoon)?

A. Yes
B. No
C. I don’t know my salt intake

7. Do you use the Nutrition Facts labels on the foods you buy to try to limit your saturated fat intake to 20 grams a day?
A. Yes
B. No

8. Did your mother have heart disease before the age of 55 or your father before the age of 65 (heart attack, bypass surgery, angioplasty)?

A. No
B. Yes, one did
C. Yes, both did

9. Did any of your siblings or grandparents have heart disease before the age of 55 (for females) or before the age of 65 (for males)?

A. No
B. Yes, one or more grandparents
C. Yes, one or more siblings
D. Don’t know

10. Do you have diabetes?

A. Yes
B. No

11. As a result of either hysterectomy or natural aging, are you now in menopause?

A. No
B. Yes

12. How much do you exercise aerobically (for example, brisk walking or jogging)?

A. Never
B. One hour per week
C. Two to three hours per week
D. Four hours or more per week

13. Are you over the age of 50 and currently on hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus progestin)?

A. No
B. Yes, two years or less
C. Yes, three years or more

14. What is your total cholesterol level?

A. 175–200 mg/dL
B. 201–230 mg/dL
C. 231–250 mg/dL
D. 250–270 mg/dL
E. More than 270 mg/dL
F. Don’t know

15. How would you characterize your ability to deal with stress?

A. I handle stress well.
B. My days are stressful, but I’m able to relax when the day is done.
C. I live with constant stress.