Are You Heart Smart?

What to Know for a Healthier Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in five deaths are due to heart disease, even though the disease is largely preventable. Heart Disease Facts | cdc.gov

Keeping your heart healthy starts with living a heart-healthy lifestyle. But first, you need to get smart about your heart. Knowing what causes heart disease, what puts you at risk for it, and how you can reduce those risks can help you make informed decisions to protect your heart and keep it strong.

Want to test your knowledge? Take this short Heart Smart Quiz:

Heart Smart Quiz

1. True or False? High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and occurs when your blood pressure is consistently 130/80 mm Hg or higher.

2. True or False? Your body mass index, or BMI, shows if your weight is in a healthy range for your height and is one measure of your future risk for heart disease.

3. True or False? Cholesterol helps make hormones, vitamin D, and substances to help you digest foods. Your body needs it for good health, but in the right amounts.

4. True or False? Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, using fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and limiting foods high in saturated fat or sugar-sweetened beverages are all part of a heart-healthy diet.

5. True or False? Not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality sleep on a regular basis increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions.

6. True or False? To strengthen their heart, adults should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking each week.

Answer Key: Bottom of the newsletter.

Learn more about heart disease prevention from The Heart Truth® here.

Virginia Soukup is our dedicated WIC Coordinator in the WIC Department, overseeing the crucial services for Saline and Ellsworth Counties. With 13 years of experience at the Health Department, Virginia is essential in delivering supplemental food assistance, offering referrals to community services, and providing invaluable nutrition education to pregnant and postpartum women and infants and children up to the age of five. "I enjoy helping moms navigate the beginning stages of growing a family," Virginia states.

She highlights the family-oriented atmosphere that drew her in when asked about her choice to work for the Health Department. “The Health Department is very family-oriented, and this job has allowed me to continue working as my family grew over the years.”

“Virginia is the kind of person who leads with her heart and gives her all to ensure that the WIC program is successful, their clients are cared for, and most importantly, that her staff has the tools, training, and opportunity to service Saline County’s moms and families.” Jason Tiller, Director of Health Department. "She is unflappable, taking change in stride, and I am grateful that she is leading our WIC program.”

Virginia emphasizes the dedication and care that professionals bring to their communities. “All Health Departments are unique. I have worked for several, and each is staffed with professionals who are highly educated and who care about the communities they serve.”

Outside of work, Virginia lives in rural Ellsworth County with her husband, who works as a farmer, and their three children. Her commitment to her family and community is central to her dedication to her work at the Health Department.

Virginia's dedication and care for her team and community at the Health Department is an invaluable asset to our organization. Thank you for all you do, Virginia! 

Heart Smart Answer Key: All answers are true!