Time to brush up on our “cholesterol awareness,” according to guidelines by the National Cholesterol Education Program. See how you do on this quiz:
1. It is important to know my cholesterol numbers because:
a. They help predict my chances of having a heart attack.
b. I may be asked to remember them on a game show.
c. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States.
Answer: a, c.
2. Which of these are major risk factors for heart disease?
a. smoking
b. diabetes
c. high blood pressure
d. listening to the presidential debates
Answer: a, b, c.
3. HDL and LDL are:
a. secret government codes
b. cholesterol particles in our blood that help predict the health of our heart and arteries
c. substances known as “lipoproteins”
Answer: b, c.
4. HDL cholesterol is:
a. “healthful”
b. best if “high”
c. a blessing to heart health
All are correct.
5. HDL cholesterol is improved with:
a. stargazing
b. sleep
c. exercise
Answer: c.
6. LDL cholesterol is:
a. “lousy”
b. best if “low”
c. apt to become oxidized and clog arteries
All are correct.
7. A diet that can decrease LDL cholesterol is:
a. high in soluble fiber
b. low in saturated fat
c. not likely to be found in a trick-or-treat bag
All are correct.
8. Which of these foods are good sources of soluble fiber?
a. dried peas and beans
b. oats
c. Hot Cheetos
Answer: a, b.
9. Researchers recommend “TLC” to reduce our risk for heart disease. TLC stands for:
a. Tender Loving Care;
b. Treat Lipoproteins Carefully;
c. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes.
Answer: c.
10. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes to lower LDL cholesterol include:
a. running a marathon
b. eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol
c. weight loss
d. 30 minutes of physical exercise most days
Answer: b, c, d.
11. Foods low in saturated fat include:
a. fruit
b. nuts
c. double bacon cheeseburgers
Answer: a, b.
12. Examples of how to eat less saturated fat include:
a. snack on nuts instead of cheese
b. use olive oil instead of butter
c. skip the hot dog
All are correct.
13. Stanols and sterols are:
a. interesting names for twins
b. substances naturally present in plants that can lower blood cholesterol
c. added to some foods such as margarine and orange juice
Answer: b and c.
14. Thirty minutes of regular physical exercise on most days can:
a. lower bad LDL cholesterol
b. raise good HDL cholesterol
c. make your heart muscle work more efficiently
All are correct.
