All are the risk factors of cardiac disease EXCEPT?

AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is known as 'good cholesterol'.
HDL's primary function is to transport cholesterol from the body's tissues and arteries back to the liver for processing and removal.
This process, called reverse cholesterol transport, helps prevent the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries.
Therefore, a high level of HDL is protective against heart disease, making it the exception among the given options, which are all risk factors.

Option A: A sedentary lifestyle, or physical inactivity, is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It contributes to obesity, hypertension, and poor lipid profiles.
Option B: Advanced age is a significant non-modifiable risk factor. The prevalence and mortality rates of coronary heart disease increase steeply with age.
Option D: An increased level of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), or 'bad cholesterol', is a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Risk factors for cardiovascular disease helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients about managing their lipid profiles. This includes explaining the difference between HDL and LDL and teaching lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, smoking cessation) to improve their numbers.
When reviewing lab results with a patient, a nurse can use the 'good' vs. 'bad' cholesterol analogy to simplify the concept and empower the patient to take control of their health.
What if? If a patient's lab results show high LDL but also very high HDL, their overall risk might be lower than someone with the same high LDL but low HDL. This highlights the importance of looking at the complete lipid panel, including ratios like Total Cholesterol/HDL, rather than just one value.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'risk factors of cardiac disease'.
Next, notice the keyword 'EXCEPT'. This means you are looking for the option that does NOT fit with the others; the one that is NOT a risk factor.
Evaluate each option: A) Sedentary lifestyle (risk factor), B) Age above 70 (risk factor), D) Increased LDL (risk factor).
Evaluate option C) Increased HDL. Recall or deduce that HDL is 'good' cholesterol and protective.
Conclude that an increased HDL level is the exception because it's a positive factor, unlike the others which are negative (risk factors).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Stem keywords: risk factors, cardiac disease
Lead-in keywords: EXCEPT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the option that is NOT a risk factor.

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