Question

How does cardiovascular disease increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes?
a) It weakens the heart, causing it to pump blood less effectively
b) It narrows the arteries, increasing their chance of becoming blocked
c) It increases the oxygen needs of the body's cells, increasing the demand on the heart
d) It causes the body's veins and arteries to soften, increasing their chance of rupturing

Answer 1

Cardiovascular disease primarily increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes through the mechanism described in option **b)**: It narrows the arteries, increasing their chance of becoming blocked.

This narrowing, often due to a process known as atherosclerosis, occurs when fatty deposits (plaque) build up in the arterial walls. As these plaques grow, they can restrict blood flow and lead to the formation of clots, which can block the arteries completely. In the case of the coronary arteries, this can result in a heart attack, while blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the brain can lead to a stroke.

While options a), c), and d) may describe other effects or complications related to cardiovascular health, they are not the primary mechanisms through which cardiovascular disease elevates the risk of heart attacks and strokes.