Final answer:
Chronic stress is the health risk identified as being comparable to smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. It significantly contributes to cardiovascular issues, augmenting risks alongside high blood pressure, diabetes, and lack of exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
The health risk that has been identified as being as powerful as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity is chronic stress (c). Chronic stress can negatively impact cardiovascular health and can lead to complications such as high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. While factors like high cholesterol levels, lack of access to healthcare, and insufficient sleep are important health considerations, chronic stress has been recognized for its significant role in increasing the risk of health problems equivalent to those posed by the other major risk factors mentioned.
It's crucial to manage stress levels alongside controlling other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and lack of exercise to prevent cardiovascular disease. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and diet are vital steps in avoiding obesity, which is strongly linked to metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes.