Hypertension: test your knowledge

Choose one correct answer for each question:

1. Which is the most desirable blood pressure?
a) 130/90mmHg
b) 120/80mmHg
c) 80/60mmHg

2. Which statement is true?
a) The older we get, the greater our risk of developing high blood pressure.
b) Hypertension shows symptoms in most people.
c) Being overweight is not related to hypertension.

3. The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by:
a) Increasing salt intake
b) Drinking three units of alcohol a day
c) Maintaining a healthy body weight

4. Which physical activity is likely to best help control hypertension?
a) Lifting a maximum weight barbell every two weeks
b) Jogging for 45 minutes once a month
c) Brisk walking for 30 minutes 5 times a week

5. Which statement is true?
a) If your mother or father has hypertension, then you will also develop hypertension.
b) Young adults don't get high blood pressure.
c) If you have four siblings and if two of them have hypertension, you need to pay more attention to your health.

6. Which of these is unlikely to indicate high blood pressure?
a) No symptoms
b) Joint pain
d) Dizziness

7. Which organ is not strongly affected by high blood pressure?
a) Eyes
b) Kidney
c) Stomach

8. Which statement is true?
a) Eating pork frequently is good to help prevent hypertension.
b) Eating mackerel is not recommended because it is an oily fish.
c) Lowering intake of saturated fat is helpful for controlling hypertension.

ANSWERS:

1. Which is the most desirable blood pressure?
b) 120/80mmHg
Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure equal to or above 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure equal to or above 90 mm Hg. Optimal blood pressure level is less than 120mmHg (systolic) and 80mmHg (diastolic).

2. Which statement is true?
a) The older we get, the greater our risk of developing high blood pressure.
Most people with hypertension do not show symptoms, until they get related health problems. Being overweight increases risk for developing high blood pressure.

3. The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by:
c) Maintaining a healthy body weight
Increasing salt intake can raise the risk of hypertension, as can high alcohol intake. The maximum intake of alcohol is two units a day for men and one a day for women.

4. Which physical activity is likely to best help control hypertension?
c) Brisk walking for 30 minutes 5 times a week
Regular aerobic exercise i.e. exercise that raises your heart rate, several times a week, is the most effective for lowering blood pressure.

5. Which statement is true?
c) If you have four siblings and two of them have hypertension, you need to pay more attention to your health.
A family history of hypertension does not necessarily mean you will have hypertension, however it increase your risk. Young adults can develop hypertension, although their risk is lower than it is for older adults.

6. Which of these is unlikely to indicate high blood pressure?
b) Joint pain
Hypertension usually doesn't have symptoms and is thus known as the "silent killer". However, sometimes high blood pressure can cause symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations and nose bleeds.

7. Which organ is not strongly affected by high blood pressure?
c) Stomach
Hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, impaired vision and kidney failure.

8. Which statement is true?
c) Lowering intake of saturated fat is helpful for controlling hypertension.
Fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products and foods with complex carbohydrates, low in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium are recommended for people with hypertension.

(Quiz adapted from the World Health Organisation)