Which of the following risk factors for coronary artery disease cannot be corrected?
A. Cigarette smoking
B. DM
C. Heredity
D. HPN
Correct Answer: C. Heredity
Because “heredity” refers to our genetic makeup, it can’t be changed.
Option A: Cigarette smoking cessation is a lifestyle change that involves behavior modification. Smoking raises the risk of getting CAD and dying early from CAD. Carbon monoxide, nicotine, and other substances in tobacco smoke can promote atherosclerosis and trigger symptoms of coronary artery disease.
Option B: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor that can be controlled with diet, exercise, and medication. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart. People with diabetes are also more likely to have other conditions that raise the risk for heart disease: High blood pressure increases the force of blood through your arteries and can damage artery walls.
Option D: Altering one’s diet, exercise, and medication can correct hypertension. British Hypertension Society (BHS) guidelines state that advice should be provided for prevention as well as treatment of hypertension and should be given to pre-hypertensives and those with a strong family history. They point out that effective lifestyle modification can lower blood pressure by at least as much as a single antihypertensive drug.