High Blood Pressure Quiz

High blood pressure puts you at increased risk for stroke, heart attack and kidney disease. Could you or someone in your family be unaware of this dangerous disease?

Our quiz can help you determine your risk and test your knowledge of high blood pressure.

Take our High Blood Pressure Quiz

True/False (answers are below):

Men over the age of 75 are much more likely to develop the disease than women.
African Americans have a higher risk of having high blood pressure than Caucasians.
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with this disease.
Women who are pregnant or take certain types of oral contraceptives are especially susceptible to high blood pressure.
People who are thin and high strung are especially likely to develop this disease.
Staying inactive keeps you relaxed so you are less likely to get high blood pressure.
For some people, excessive use of salt and other high sodium foods may increase blood pressure.
Adding certain foods to your diet such as low-fat dairy products, and fruits and vegetables may lower blood pressure in adults with high blood pressure.
More than sixty percent of all women over the age of 65 have hypertension.
The only way to bring your blood pressure down is to take drugs.

Answers:

False. Women over the age of 75 are much more likely to develop the disease than men.
True. African Americans do have a higher risk of developing the disease than Caucasians. If you are African American, it is especially important to get your blood pressure checked.
True. Drinking more than two drinks per day for men or one drink a day for women -- even if it is beer or wine -- can increase the odds that you will get this disease and puts you at risk for other health problems.
True. High blood pressure during pregnancy is very dangerous to both the baby and mother and is one of many important reasons for prenatal check ups. Women who take oral contraceptives also have a higher risk of hypertension and should see their doctor regularly.
False. People who are overweight have a greater risk for getting this disease.
False. Physical inactivity is another risk factor for developing high blood pressure.
True. A salty diet increases blood pressure in some people, leading to the recommendation to reduce sodium intake. Recent studies have shown that salt restriction is effective in lowering blood pressure in some people more than others.
True. A recent study found that adding fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products can lower blood pressure in adults with moderate high blood pressure. The exact reason is unknown -- it could be the high calcium, potassium and/or magnesium content of these foods.
True. More than sixty percent of all women over the age of 65 have this disease.
False. As mentioned in the answers above, there is much you can do to prevent or manage high blood pressure. Avoid excessive salt and alcohol intake. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy products in your diet. And start moving to eventually reach the current recommendation to be physically active 60 minutes per day.

High Blood Pressure Statistics

It is estimated that as many as 65 million Americans have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. An additional 59 million are at risk for developing high blood pressure. These numbers are likely to increase as our population continues to age. This disease is called the "silent killer" because 35% of those who have it do not even know it.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, about 1 in 3 adults in the United States have high blood pressure. High blood pressure itself usually has no symptoms. You can have it for years without knowing it. During this time, though, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of your body.

If you haven't had your blood pressure checked in the past year, make an appointment to see your doctor or call your local heart association to learn about screening services in your neighborhood.