Which client’s findings indicate risk for heart disease?

• A. Client 1
• B. Client 2
• C. Client 3
• D. Client 4

Answer: (B)

Risk for heart disease rises when a person has one or more major risk factors, especially high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, diabetes or high blood sugar, obesity, and smoking, along with a sedentary lifestyle or a family history of early cardiovascular disease. The best choice is the client whose findings show these kinds of risk factors, because they collectively increase the chance of developing atherosclerosis and later heart problems. For example, high blood pressure damages arterial walls and accelerates plaque formation; an unfavorable lipid profile—high LDL and/or low HDL—fosters plaque buildup in arteries; diabetes and obesity worsen insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities; smoking further damages vessels and promotes inflammation. Because these factors signal greater likelihood of heart disease even before symptoms appear, that client is the one indicating elevated risk. The other clients would have findings that stay within normal limits or show factors that don’t raise risk as much, such as normal blood pressure, normal lipids, no smoking, or healthy weight.