Blog article
Valentine’s Day heart health quiz
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of Australia’s leading health challenges, but the good news is that many risk factors are preventable with the right knowledge and lifestyle choices. Test your heart smarts with our Valentine’s Day heart health quiz, and discover how small changes can make a big difference for you and your loved ones.
Questions:
1. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for heart disease?
a) High blood pressure
b) Smoking
c) Laughing too much
d) High cholesterol
2. How many Australians are estimated to live with cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
a) 1 in 20
b) 1 in 10
c) 1 in 6
d) 1 in 3
3. What is considered a heart-healthy diet?
a) A diet high in saturated fats and processed foods
b) A restrictive diet with no fats or carbs
c) A balanced diet including vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and healthy fats
d) A high-protein diet with minimal vegetables
4. Which activity is the best for keeping your heart healthy?
a) Watching your favourite Netflix show
b) Regular physical activity, like brisk walking
c) Eating dark chocolate frequently
d) None of the above
5. True or false: Someone in Australia is hospitalised for cardiovascular disease approximately every minute.
a) True
b) False
6. Which of the following is an effective way to lower blood pressure?
a) Eating a low salt diet
b) Reducing stress
c) Managing your weight
d) All of the above
7. What percentage of deaths in Australia are caused by cardiovascular disease?
a) 10%
b) 24%
c) 50%
d) 75%
8. Which of the following foods is particularly beneficial for heart health?
a) Oily fish like salmon or mackerel
b) Dark green vegetables
c) Garlic
d) Berries
e) All of the above
9. True or false: Quitting smoking decreases your risk of heart attack and stroke almost immediately.
a) True
b) False
10. True or false: Heart Health Checks are fully covered by Medicare.
a) True
b) False
11. How many chambers does the human heart have?
a) Two
b) Four
c) Six
d) Eight
12. What is the primary function of the heart?
a) To pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body
b) To regulate body temperature
c) To break down nutrients
d) To produce hormones
13. Which side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body?
a) Left
b) Right
c) Both sides equally
d) Neither side
14. What is the name of the largest artery in the body that carries blood away from the heart?
a) Aorta
b) Pulmonary artery
c) Carotid artery
d) Femoral artery
15. Which animal has the largest heart in the animal kingdom?
a) Elephant
b) Sperm whale
c) Giraffe
d) Blue whale
16. Which animal has multiple hearts?
a) Octopus
b) Earthworm
c) Starfish
d) Centipede
17. Which animal has the largest heart relative to its body size?
a) Hummingbird
b) Horse
c) Rabbit
d) Kangaroo
Answers:
1. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for heart disease?
c) Laughing too much
Laughing too much is not a risk factor for heart disease. In fact, it can reduce stress and improve wellbeing.1 On the other hand, high blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, which can lead to serious complications like heart attacks and strokes2; smoking damages the lining of blood vessels, reduces oxygen levels in the blood, and promotes plaque buildup in arteries, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues3; and high cholesterol contributes to the formation of fatty deposits in arteries, which can restrict blood flow and lead to heart-related problems4.
2. How many Australians are estimated to live with cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
c) 1 in 6
A staggering 1 in 6 Australians live with cardiovascular disease. That’s over 4.5 million people, or almost 18% of the total Australian population.5
3. What is considered a heart-healthy diet?
c) A balanced diet including vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and healthy fats
A heart-healthy eating pattern focuses on nutritious foods, including healthy fats and fibre. These foods provide essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants that help lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and protect the heart.6
In contrast, diets high in saturated fats and processed foods can increase cholesterol levels and contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, while overly restrictive diets that eliminate entire food groups, like fats or carbs, may lack the nutrients needed for overall health. Similarly, high-protein diets that neglect vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods may not provide the balance required for optimal heart health.6
4. Which activity is the best for keeping your heart healthy?
b) Regular physical activity, like brisk walking
While we all probably wish it was a little bit of Option A and little bit of Option C, the answer is exercise! Regular physical activity helps control blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, all of which benefit heart health.6 As a general guide, Australian government guidelines recommend adults to be active on most (preferably all) days, to weekly total of 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate activity or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous activity or an equivalent combination of both.8
5. True or false: Someone in Australia is hospitalised for cardiovascular disease approximately every minute.
a) True
Someone in Australia is hospitalised for CVD approximately every minute.5
6. Which of the following is an effective way to lower blood pressure?
d) All of the above
Answer a, b and c all play a vital role in managing and lowering blood pressure. Lowering your salt intake can help prevent excess fluid retention, which decreases pressure on your blood vessels. Chronic stress affects blood pressure, but practices such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, and staying active can protect your heart. And finally, maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the strain on your heart and blood vessels, leading to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of other cardiovascular conditions.2,5,6,7
7. What percentage of deaths in Australia are caused by cardiovascular disease?
b) 24%
Cardiovascular disease was the underlying cause of nearly a quarter of all deaths in 2022 in Australia, highlighting the importance of heart health.3
8. Which of the following foods is particularly beneficial for heart health?
e) All of the above
Each of these foods offers unique heart-health benefits:7
- Oily fish like salmon or mackerel: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, oily fish help lower triglycerides, reduce inflammation, and improve overall cardiovascular health.
- Dark green vegetables: High in vitamin E, dark greens act as antioxidants, protecting against LDL cholesterol and supporting heart health. Eating whole foods with vitamin E is particularly effective, as supplements don't provide the same benefits.
- Garlic: Contains a compound called allicin, which has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Berries: Packed with antioxidants, berries help combat oxidative stress, lower blood pressure, and support healthy blood vessels.
Incorporating these foods into your diet can significantly boost heart health and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
9. True or false: Quitting smoking decreases your risk of heart attack and stroke almost immediately.
a) True
Quitting smoking has immediate heart health benefits, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.6
10. True or false: Heart Health Checks are fully covered by Medicare.
a) True
If you're 45 or older (30+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), a Medicare-covered Heart Health Check can help assess and manage your risk of heart disease. Your doctor will evaluate factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, activity levels, and family history to determine if you’re at low, moderate, or high risk of a heart attack or stroke within five years. Based on your results, they’ll provide tailored advice and support to improve your heart health.6
11. How many chambers does the human heart have?
b) Four
The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.
12. What is the primary function of the heart?
a) To pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body
We hope you all got this one! The heart’s primary role is to circulate oxygen-rich blood to our organs and tissues.
13. Which side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body?
a) Left
The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, ensuring that tissues receive the oxygen and nutrients they need. The right side of the heart is responsible for pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
14. What is the name of the largest artery in the body that carries blood away from the heart?
a) Aorta
The star of the show, our aorta is the largest artery in the body, carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
15. Which animal has the largest heart in the animal kingdom?
d) Blue whale
The world’s largest animal, the blue whale, is home to the largest heart of any animal, weighing up to a whopping 200 kilograms!
16. Which animal has multiple hearts?
a) Octopus
Did you guess correctly? The incredible octopus has three hearts: two pump blood to the gills, and one pumps it to the rest of the body.
17. Which animal has the largest heart relative to its body size?
a) Hummingbird
Relative to its body size, the hummingbird’s heart is the largest in the animal kingdom and can beat up to 1,260 times per minute during flight.
How HBF can support your heart health?
If you have eligible extras cover with HBF, you may be able to claim benefits for services that help manage cardiovascular risk factors and support your heart health, such as:
Nutrition and dietetics: Get support from a dietitian to develop a heart-healthy eating plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle.
Exercise physiology: Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health. An exercise physiologist can design a safe and effective exercise program tailored to your needs.
Psychology: Stress management is crucial for heart health. A psychologist can help you develop strategies to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.
Health checks: Convenient in-pharmacy checks to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and more.
HBF also offers a range of health programs to help you take control of your heart health and overall wellbeing including,
The COACH Program: A personalised coaching program delivered virtually to help you to manage, understand and prevent chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease. This program is delivered by qualified health professionals and is fully covered for eligible HBF hospital members.*
For more information on these programs and how they can support your journey to better heart health, visit health programs and services.
