Atherosclerosis increases the risk of which condition?

Atherosclerosis increases the risk of which condition?

• A. Hypocholestrolemia
• B. Hypertension
• C. Anemia
• D. Hyperglycemia

Answer: (A)

Atherosclerosis makes arteries narrow and stiffer, which increases the resistance the heart has to push against. That higher resistance tends to raise blood pressure, so hypertension is the condition most directly increased by plaque buildup. Hypocholesterolemia (low cholesterol) isn’t associated with this process—in fact, atherosclerosis is linked with high cholesterol, not low. Anemia isn’t tied to artery plaque, and while diabetes-related high blood sugar can worsen vascular disease, the direct consequence of atherosclerosis in terms of risk is higher blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis makes arteries narrow and stiffer, which increases the resistance the heart has to push against. That higher resistance tends to raise blood pressure, so hypertension is the condition most directly increased by plaque buildup. Hypocholesterolemia (low cholesterol) isn’t associated with this process—in fact, atherosclerosis is linked with high cholesterol, not low. Anemia isn’t tied to artery plaque, and while diabetes-related high blood sugar can worsen vascular disease, the direct consequence of atherosclerosis in terms of risk is higher blood pressure.