Question

The nurse practitioner advises a patient who is at high risk for a stroke to be vigilant in his medication regime, to maintain a healthy weight, and to adopt a reasonable exercise program. This advice is based on research data that shows the most important risk factor for stroke is:

a) Dyslipidemia
b) Obesity
c) Hypertension
d) Smoking

Answer 1

Hypertension is the most significant risk factor for stroke, and managing blood pressure through lifestyle or medication is crucial for prevention. Other modifiable risk factors include obesity, smoking, and high cholesterol, which can be addressed through lifestyle changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important risk factor for stroke is hypertension (high blood pressure). Clinical data and research have indicated that addressing hypertension is key in reducing the risk of stroke. Hypertension leads to conditions such as atherosclerosis, which narrows and hardens the arteries in the brain, potentially resulting in a stroke. Maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, either through lifestyle interventions or medication, is crucial for stroke prevention. Along with hypertension, other significant risk factors include smoking, obesity, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), diabetes mellitus, and lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition and physical inactivity.It is essential for individuals, especially those at higher risk like older adults or those with a family history of cardiovascular disease, to focus on modifiable factors to reduce their risk. This includes managing blood pressure, engaging in regular physical activity, adopting a healthier diet, and avoiding tobacco use. While some risk factors like age and family history of cardiovascular disease cannot be altered, emphasizing controllable factors can have a substantial impact on decreasing the likelihood of a stroke.