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South Dakota Department of Health
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Heart Disease Risk Assessment Quiz

Heart disease risk can be affected by your health, lifestyle, age, and family history. Answer the questions below to identify factors that may affect your heart health and learn about steps you can take to lower your risk.

Question

High Risk (YES)

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Low Risk (NO)

Are you 40 years of age or older?

High Risk (YES)

Heart disease risk increases with age. While you cannot change your age, knowing your other risk factors can help you take steps to protect your heart.

CDC | Heart Disease Risk Factors

American Heart Association (AHA) | Understand Your Risks to Prevent a Heart Attack

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Low Risk (NO)

Do you currently smoke or use tobacco or vape products?

High Risk (YES)

Tobacco use increases your risk for heart disease. Quitting tobacco can lower your risk and improve your health.

AHA | How Can I Quit Smoking?

Quit Tobacco SD

South Dakota Quitline

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Low Risk (NO)

Have you ever been told you have high blood pressure?

High Risk (YES)

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Managing your blood pressure can help protect your heart and blood vessels.

AHA | What Is High Blood Pressure?

SD DOH | Blood Pressure

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Knowing your blood pressure is an important part of understanding your heart health. Ask your healthcare provider to check your blood pressure.

Low Risk (NO)

Have you ever been told you have high cholesterol?

High Risk (YES)

High cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease. Talk with your healthcare provider about your cholesterol levels and ways to manage them.

AHA | How can I improve my cholesterol?

SD DOH | Cholesterol

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

A cholesterol test can help you better understand your heart health. Ask your healthcare provider if you should have your cholesterol checked.

Low Risk (NO)

Do you have diabetes or prediabetes?

High Risk (YES)

Diabetes can increase your risk for heart disease. Managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help protect your heart.

AHA | Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

SD DOH | Diabetes Management

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Knowing your blood sugar levels can help you understand your risk for diabetes and heart disease. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether testing is right for you.

Low Risk (NO)

Do you have a family history of heart disease or stroke?

High Risk (YES)

Family history can affect your risk for heart disease. You cannot change your family history, but knowing it can help you and your health care provider make informed decisions about your heart health.

AHA | Family History & Heart Disease

SD DOH | Stroke

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Learning about your family's health history can help you better understand your own risk.

Low Risk (NO)

Do you get less than 150 minutes of physical activity each week?

High Risk (YES)

Regular physical activity helps protect your heart. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

AHA | Adult Physical Activity Recommendations

South Dakota Move Your Way Playbook

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Low Risk (NO)

Do you eat fewer than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day?

High Risk (YES)

Healthy food choices can help protect your heart. Choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including fruits and vegetables, and limit foods high in sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.

AHA | Eat Smart with Fruits & Vegetables

SD DOH | Nutrition

Healthy SD | Nutrition

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Low Risk (NO)

Is your BMI 30 or higher?

Not sure? Calculate your BMI using the CDC Adult BMI Calculator.

High Risk (YES)

A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher may be one factor associated with increased heart disease risk. BMI is a screening measure and should be considered along with other information about your health.

AHA | Understanding Weight

CDC | Adult BMI Calculator

HealthySD.gov

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Low Risk (NO)

Do you experience high stress most days?

High Risk (YES)

Long-term stress can affect both your physical and mental health. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can support your overall well-being and heart health.

AHA | How Can I Manage Stress?

SD DOH | Mental Health

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

Low Risk (NO)

Your Totals

High Risk (YES)

0

Your answers identified one or more factors that may increase your risk for heart disease. Some risk factors can be managed or changed. Talk with your healthcare provider about your heart health and the steps you can take to lower your risk.

Moderate Risk (NOT SURE)

0

You selected “Not sure” for one or more heart disease risk factors. Knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, family health history, and other health information can help you better understand your risk. Talk with your healthcare provider about what screenings or next steps may be right for you.

Low Risk (NO)

0

Your answers did not identify a risk factor in these areas. Keep supporting your heart health with healthy habits and regular preventive care. Remember, this assessment does not measure every factor that may affect your risk for heart disease.

Vital Information

If you are high risk in any of the categories listed above, have a conversation with your doctor and make a plan to lower the risk of heart disease

This assessment is for educational purposes only. It does not diagnose heart disease or calculate your personal risk of developing heart disease. Some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be changed. Others, including tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, can be managed or improved. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk and what steps are right for you.