Which of the following is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease that exercise helps mitigate?

• A. Regular physical activity
• B. Adequate sleep
• C. High HDL cholesterol
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (D)

Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exercise helps mitigate it by lowering resting blood pressure and improving how blood vessels dilate, which reduces the load the heart has to push against. Regular aerobic and resistance training can produce lasting reductions in both systolic and diastolic pressure through mechanisms like improved endothelial function, increased nitric oxide availability, reduced arterial stiffness, and better metabolic health. This direct impact on blood pressure lowers the overall risk of heart attack and stroke. The other options describe factors that either protect the heart or are not risk factors in this context: regular physical activity reduces risk, adequate sleep supports heart health, and high HDL cholesterol is protective.