Back Take the Blood Pressure Quiz Do you know your risk factors for high blood pressure? You can’t do anything about some risk factors. But other risk factors can be changed. Learn about the risk factors for high blood pressure by taking this quiz. 1. How often should you have your blood pressure checked? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Every two to three years if it's normal. Follow your physician's advice if it's not. A. Every yearB. Every two to three yearsC. Every five yearsD. Every 10 years 2. Which of these factors can affect blood pressure? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Blood pressure can drop when temperatures rise. Vessels dilate when it's hot and constrict when it's cold. A. Hot weatherB. Viral infectionsC. Air pollutionD. Elevation above sea level 3. What is a symptom of high blood pressure? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Because it has no obvious symptoms, hypertension is called the silent killer. A. Racing heartbeatB. Elevated temperatureC. FatigueD. It has no discernible symptoms 4. Which of these can increase your risk of hypertension? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is A direct cause isn't known in 90 percent of cases, however. A. ObesityB. A family history of hypertensionC. SmokingD. All of the above 5. At what point is blood pressure considered hypertensive? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is This reading (140 over 90) indicates stage one hypertension. A blood pressure of 120/80 to 129/89 is termed prehypertension. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. If either the systolic (higher number) or diastolic (lower number) is in one of the ranges listed above, that is the category that you are in. So, for example, if you blood pressure were 122/70 consistently, you would be called prehypertensive. A. 120 over 80B. 130 over 85C. 140 over 90D. 210 over 120 6. Hypertension is the main cause of which of these? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Over time, high blood pressure damages blood vessels (conditions called arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis), causing an increased risk for not only stroke, but also heart attacks and kidney disease. A. CancerB. StrokesC. DiabetesD. Congestive heart failure 7. Which of these contribute to hypertension? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Excessive drinking increases heart rate, which puts pressure on vessel walls. Three to five drinks a day over a long period can cause hypertension. A. High vitamin C consumptionB. High alcohol consumptionC. High calcium consumptionD. All of the above 8. In which age group does the risk for hypertension jump dramatically? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Aging directly correlates to an increase in risk. A. 40 to 49B. 50 to 59C. 60 to 69D. 70 to 79 9. Why does reducing salt intake help prevent hypertension in some people? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is People who are sensitive to salt have blood pressure that reacts significantly to salt. The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend that all Americans limit sodium (salt) to less than 2,300 mg (about one teaspoon) a day. People over age 51 and those of any age who are African-American or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should limit sodium to 1,500 mg or less. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone--no matter what age, ethnic background, or medical conditions--consume less than 1,500 mg of sodium a day. A. It reduces fluid buildup in the bodyB. It allows vessels to relaxC. It raises levels of HDL ("good") cholesterolD. It helps stabilize heartbeat 10. What can you do to control high blood pressure? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Although you can't change certain risk factors such as age and family health history, you can choose a lifestyle that promotes heart health. A. Attain and maintain a healthful weightB. Exercise regularlyC. Take the blood pressure medication prescribed by your doctorD. All of the above Your score was: