Heart & Cardiovascular Health Quiz

1. What is considered a normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult?

1. 100–120 beats per minute
2. 40–60 beats per minute
3. 50–80 beats per minute
4. 60–100 beats per minute

2. Which type of cholesterol is often called 'good' cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream?

1. HDL (high-density lipoprotein)
2. LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
3. Triglycerides
4. VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein)

3. What do the two numbers in a blood pressure reading represent — for example, 120/80 mmHg?

1. Heart rate over resting rate
2. Left ventricle pressure over right ventricle pressure
3. Maximum pressure over minimum pressure in the aorta only
4. Systolic (when the heart beats) over diastolic (when the heart rests between beats)

4. Which of the following is NOT a classic warning sign of a heart attack?

1. Chest pain or pressure radiating to the arm or jaw
2. Discomfort in the centre of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
3. Shortness of breath, nausea, and cold sweats
4. Sudden severe headache and blurred vision

5. How many times does the average human heart beat in a day?

1. About 100,000 times
2. About 250,000 times
3. About 50,000 times
4. About 500,000 times

6. Aerobic exercise is particularly beneficial for heart health. Which of the following is NOT primarily an aerobic exercise?

1. Brisk walking
2. Cycling at a steady pace
3. Powerlifting a heavy barbell
4. Swimming laps

7. High blood pressure is sometimes called the 'silent killer.' Why?

1. Doctors are slow to diagnose it because its symptoms resemble many other conditions
2. It is caused by emotional stress that people often hide from doctors
3. It silently destroys relationships due to personality changes it causes
4. It typically has no symptoms, so people can have dangerously high blood pressure without knowing it

8. What is the term for the build-up of fatty plaques in artery walls that can lead to heart attack and stroke?

1. Angina
2. Arrhythmia
3. Arteriosclerosis
4. Atherosclerosis

9. Which dietary fat type is most strongly linked to raising LDL ('bad') cholesterol and increasing heart disease risk?

1. Monounsaturated fats (e.g. olive oil)
2. Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. in oily fish)
3. Polyunsaturated fats (e.g. sunflower oil)
4. Trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils)

10. The Mediterranean diet is widely praised for cardiovascular benefits. Which of the following is NOT a typical feature of the Mediterranean diet?

1. High consumption of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, and legumes
2. Moderate consumption of fish and seafood
3. Moderate red wine consumption with meals
4. Very high consumption of red meat daily

11. What happens during a stroke?

1. A blood vessel in the heart ruptures, causing internal bleeding
2. Blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to die
3. The heart beats too rapidly for blood to circulate effectively
4. The heart stops beating due to an electrical malfunction

12. How much moderate-intensity aerobic exercise do health guidelines generally recommend for adults per week for cardiovascular health?

1. At least 150 minutes
2. At least 300 minutes
3. At least 60 minutes
4. At least 75 minutes

13. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health. Which food is the richest natural source?

1. Brown rice
2. Lean chicken breast
3. Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines
4. Whole milk dairy products

14. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease. How does smoking damage the cardiovascular system?

1. It damages blood vessel walls, reduces oxygen, promotes clot formation, raises blood pressure, and accelerates atherosclerosis
2. It only affects the lungs and does not directly harm the heart
3. It only raises LDL cholesterol with no other direct cardiovascular effects
4. It primarily raises heart rate but does not damage vessel walls

15. What is a cardiac arrhythmia?

1. A narrowing of the coronary arteries due to plaque build-up
2. An abnormal heart rhythm — the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly
3. Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
4. Weakness of the heart muscle preventing effective pumping (cardiomyopathy)

16. What does the term 'cardiovascular fitness' or 'VO2 max' measure?

1. The maximum rate at which your body can consume oxygen during intense exercise — a key measure of aerobic fitness
2. The maximum weight your heart muscle can withstand during exercise
3. The minimum heart rate achieved during complete rest
4. The ratio of heart muscle mass to body weight

17. Which of the following lifestyle changes has the GREATEST single impact on reducing blood pressure for people with hypertension?

1. Eating more fibre
2. Losing excess weight
3. Reducing caffeine intake
4. Reducing screen time

18. What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

1. A heart attack is a circulation problem (blocked artery); cardiac arrest is an electrical problem (heart stops beating)
2. A heart attack is always fatal; cardiac arrest can be survived without treatment
3. Cardiac arrest only occurs in older people; heart attacks can occur at any age
4. They are the same condition with different severities

19. Stress is linked to cardiovascular disease. Which hormone, released during the stress response, is most directly linked to increased heart rate and blood pressure?

1. Adrenaline (epinephrine)
2. Cortisol
3. Insulin
4. Serotonin

20. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is recommended for heart health. What is its primary nutritional focus?

1. Eliminating all animal products and focusing on plant-based foods only
2. High intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, with reduced sodium and saturated fat
3. Intermittent fasting combined with high-protein meals
4. Very low carbohydrate, high fat and protein intake