What is Your Heart Disease Risk?

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Determine your score

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

Add up your points for each question, then determine your quiz results.

            1.         A: 0      B: 3      C: 5     D: 7     E: 10
            2.         A: 10    B: 5      C: 0     D: -5
            3.         A: 10    B: 0
            4.         A: 0      B: 1      C: -5    D: 4
            5.         A: -5     B: 0      C: 3     D: 7     E: 10    F: 0
            6.         A: 0      B: 3      C: 0
            7.         A: 0      B: 5
            8.         A: 0      B: 25    C: 50
            9.         A: 0      B: 10    C: 15   D: 0
            10.       A: 15    B: 0
            11.       A: 0      B: 10
            12.       A: 10    B: 7      C: -4    D: -5
            13.       A: 0      B: 1      C: 0
            14.       A: -5     B: 3      C: 6     D: 7     E: 10    F: 0
            15.       A: 0      B: 1      C: 3

Your Quiz Results:

0–24 points
Low Risk
Based on your answers, you are at low risk for developing heart disease. If you answered “don’t know” to any of our questions, your risk factor for those questions was not calculated. Do your best to get the missing information and take the test again, because your points total could go up or down.
           
Women who live to an old age have a one in three chance of developing heart disease. This means you should always maintain the healthy-heart profile you now have, remembering that as you get older, your risk factors such as weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels will naturally rise. At your annual physical be sure your doctor discusses with you all risk factors and tells you how to remain within a normal range for your age.

25–93 points
Average Risk
Based on your answers, you are at average risk for developing heart disease. You should work with your doctor on monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Think “diet and exercise” as you plan your weekly schedule.
           
If you answered “don’t know” to any of our questions, your risk factor for those questions was not calculated. Do your best to get the missing information and take the test again, because your points total could go up or down.
           
94–150 points
High Risk
Based on your answers, you are at higher risk for developing heart disease.
More than 71 million American adults have cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Risk factors include being overweight; having diabetes, high blood cholesterol, or hypertension; a lack of physical activity; and smoking.
           

It is important for you to be working with your doctor if you are at high risk. He or she will monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Drugs may be prescribed to keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check. Your doctor might prescribe a diet plan and encourage you to participate in a regular exercise program. If you smoke cigarettes, quit.