1. Regular physical activity is an important step toward a healthy heart. What other steps can you take to reduce your risk of heart attack?
   a.  stop smoking
   b.  reduce high blood pressure
   c.  maintain proper blood cholesterol levels
2. If running marathons is not your idea of regular exercise, you can work up a heart-healthy sweat in your everyday life in a lot of ways. What are some of them?
   a.  sitting in a sauna
   b.  walking
   c.  vigorous vacuuming
   d.  mowing lawn with push mower
   e.  gardening
   f.   baking brownies
   g.  raking leaves
   h.  dancing
3. Only about one in four American adults get enough leisure time physical activity to be heart healthy.  Physical activity levels are particularly low with which four groups?
4. Children are more physically fit today than they were a generation ago?
   a.  True
   b.  False
5. What is the most common excuse for not exercising?
6. Besides being an important way to get ready for bathing suit season, regular physical activity can also benefit your health and well-being by improving which of the following:
   a.  blood cholesterol
   b.  high blood pressure
   c.  energy level
   d.  sleeping patterns
7. A heart healthy exercise schedule should involve at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity, on most days of the week.
   a.  True
   b.  False
8. A complete physical fitness program should involve activities that promote endurance, strength and flexibility.
   a.  True
   b.  False
9. What should you do first before starting a vigorous exercise program if you're middle-aged or older, have been sedentary, are overweight or have a serious medical condition?
10. What exercise has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity?

Check your answers with the answer key below!

1. a,b,c
2. all except a and f
3. African-American women, people with low education levels, people who are overweight and the elderly
4. False.  Children are heavier and less physically fit than they were even a generation ago.  Many are developing cardiovascular disease risk factors such as overweight, higher blood pressure, higher blood cholesterol and cigarette smoking.  Children spend an average of 17 hours a week watching TV in addition to the time they spend on video and computer games --- all sedentary activities!
5. Not enough time. But all it takes is 30 minutes a day and not necessarily all at once!  Your workout should have the same importance as any other appointment of the day.
6. all
7. True
8. True.  To build endurance, do aerobic physical activities such as brisk walking, running, bicycling or swimming.  To build strength, try weight lifting.  To improve flexibility, do stretching and movements that put each part of the body through its full range of motion.
9. See a doctor first for a medical evaluation.
10. Walking.  It's inexpensive, easy and convenient.  You can walk throughout your lifetime.  You can walk year-round and in most weather, indoors or outdoors.  You don't need special clothing or equipment.  Walking is low impact so risks of injury to bones and joints are minimal.

Here are some questions to ask your Doctor:

1. What is my risk for heart disease?
2. what is my blood pressure?  What does it mean for me, and what do I need to do about it?
3. What are my cholesterol numbers?  (These include total cholesterol, LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, HDL or "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides.)  What do they mean for me, and what do I need to do about them?
4. What is my "body mass index" and waist measurement?  Do they indicate that I need to lose weight for my my health?
5. What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean I'm at risk for diabetes?
6. What other screening tests for heart disease do I need?  How often should I return for checkups for my heart health?
7. What can you do to help me quit smoking?
8. How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
9. What is a heart-healthy eating plan for me?  Should I see a registered dietitian or qualified nutritionist to learn more about healthy eating?
10. How can I tell if I'm having a heart attack?