Lipid Learnings

Take the quiz below to test your knowledge of lipids. To learn more about lipids visit DrDonnica.com.

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  1. True/False: Triglycerides are an independent risk factor for heart disease, are fats produced by the body and found in food that you eat.
    True. Triglycerides are a type of fat made by your body. They are also found in the food you eat. When you eat a meal, your body uses some of the food as an immediate source of energy, but most of it is changed to triglycerides to be used for energy at a later time.
  2. _________ is the leading cause of death for women in America.
    C. Heart Disease. Heart disease, which includes heart attack and stroke, is the number one cause of death for American women. Every year nearly 500,000 women die from heart disease, which is nearly 10 times the number of women who die from breast cancer.
  3. Which of the following is a lipid?
    D. Triglycerides. "Lipid" is a word used to describe fats in the blood. There are three major lipids that can affect your heart-health: The Good (HDL), The Bad (LDL), and The Forgotten (triglycerides).
  4. True/False: A lipid profile is a group of tests performed by doctors during regular check-ups.
    True. As part of your yearly check-up, it's common for doctors to test your "lipid profile." A lipid profile is a group of tests that measure the amount of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol, triglycerides (the "forgotten fat") and total cholesterol in your blood.
  5. National guidelines identify normal triglyceride levels as:
    D. Below 150. A normal level of triglycerides is 150. The risk of developing heart disease doubles when triglyceride levels are above 200. High levels of triglycerides are common in people who are overweight, who have diabetes or who have low HDL levels.
    Triglyceride Level Classification
    Less than 150 mg/dL Normal
  6. National guidelines identify low HDL levels as:
    D. Below 40. Since HDL helps to protect the heart, the more of it you have the better.
    HDL Cholesterol Levels Classification
    Less than 40 mg/dL Low
    60 mg/dL and above High
  7. Unhealthy triglyceride levels are common in people who:
    D. All of the Above. While everyone has triglycerides, which are in the food you eat as well as made by your body, high levels are most common in people who are overweight, have diabetes or have low HDL levels.
  8. What is the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables a day to help maintain a healthy heart?
    C. At least 5. In order to get your lipid levels to goal, your diet should consist of at least five servings of fruits or vegetables, six servings of breads/cereals/grains, two servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy products and five ounces or less of lean meat, fish or poultry a day.
  9. The American Heart Association recommends ______ of physical activity a day to improve your lipid levels and overall heart health.
    C. 30 to 60 minutes. The American Heart Association recommends 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Staying physically active will help you achieve healthier lipid levels and lower your risk of developing heart disease.
  10. True/False: The first treatment option for any patient with unhealthy lipid levels should be diet and exercise.
    True. Changes to diet and exercise should be the first treatment option if you have unhealthy lipid levels. Not everyone will be able to reach healthy levels without medication. Medications that are effective against the "bad" cholesterol may not improve the "good" cholesterol or lower the "forgotten fat," so ask your doctor about all the different treatment options.

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