If you want to be heart healthy, you have to be heart smart. Test your knowledge by answering true or false to the following statements (answers below).
1. Triglycerides are the same as cholesterol.
T F
2. One in 10 people over age 50 has varicose veins.
T F
3.Stress can affect how you manage your diabetes.
T F
4. More American women die of cardiovascular disease than all forms of cancer combined.
T F
ANSWERS
1. FALSE: Both are types of fat in your blood, but triglycerides supply your body with energy, while cholesterol helps your body create cells and hormones. Your healthcare provider can get a measurement of both with a blood test called a lipid panel. High triglycerides and elevated total cholesterol contribute to increased stroke and heart disease risk.
2. FALSE: Varicose veins are far more common. Half of people over age 50 cope with the bulging veins on the backs of their calves or on the inside of their legs. Exercise, weight loss, elevating your legs while resting, not crossing your legs when sitting and avoiding long periods of standing can prevent varicose veins from getting worse.
3. TRUE: Though you can’t see it, stress can have a big impact on how you manage your diabetes. You may not take care of yourself the way you should. Long periods of stress may even stop insulin from working right, so do what you can to ease your anxiety.
4. TRUE: Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women. But the good news is that many risk factors for the disease, such as smoking, being obese and having high cholesterol or blood pressure, can be controlled.
