Question 1

Approximately how many million people in Canada are believed to have hypertension?

Accepted Answer

According to Statistics Canada, an estimated 4.5 million Canadians (roughly 20% of the population) have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.

Question 2

Peripheral resistance is affected primarily by the resistance of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral resistance refers to the resistance of flow through the arterioles, the smallest branches of the arterial system. Therefore, the resistance of blood flow in the arterioles affects peripheral resistance the most.

Question 3

Risk factors for coronary heart disease that can be minimized by behavioural change include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Heredity refers to genetic factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease and cannot be changed through behavioral change. However, stress, smoking, and hypertension can all be minimized through behavioral change.

Question 4

Direct contributors to the metabolic syndrome include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Increased waist circumference is a direct contributor to metabolic syndrome, indicating central obesity.

Question 5

For which of the following reasons should the measurement of a person's blood cholesterol be performed at least twice, with measurements taken at least 1 week apart?

Accepted Answer

Blood cholesterol concentrations can vary significantly day to day, and repeating the measurement at least once with measurements taken at least 1 week apart is recommended to obtain an accurate assessment of an individual's cholesterol levels.

Question 6

Blood pressure measurement is expressed in which of the following units?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure measurement is expressed in millimetres of mercury.

Question 7

Which of the following factors would lead a person with high blood pressure to develop the metabolic syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Insulin resistance, which is a common underlying factor in both high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome, would lead a person with high blood pressure to develop the metabolic syndrome. Diuretic use, high HDL levels, and low blood triglycerides are not necessarily factors that would lead to the development of metabolic syndrome in a person with high blood pressure.

Question 8

Which of the following characteristic factors associated with hypertension is true?

Accepted Answer

African-Americans develop high blood pressure earlier in life and their average blood pressure is higher than whites'. This is a known factor associated with hypertension. Choices A, B, and C are not true.

Question 9

Stefan was recently diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. His primary care physician refers him to your office for some counselling on his modifiable risk factors. Which of the following topics will you most likely discuss with Stefan?

Accepted Answer

Metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with a diet high in saturated fats and simple carbohydrates, which contributes to atherosclerosis and elevates cardiovascular risk. Therefore, discussing how to improve his atherogenic diet is an essential topic to address. While medication may be prescribed based on specific readings, this is not a modifiable risk factor. Aging is a natural process that cannot be slowed down, and mapping out his family tree while helpful is not a modifiable risk factor.

Question 10

Which of the following is the most likely reason that a blood pressure reading should be repeated before confirming a diagnosis of hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Emotional reactions can temporarily elevate blood pressure, making it important to repeat the measurement for accuracy before diagnosing hypertension.

Question 11

What should be the next course of action for a person who was unsuccessful in lowering LDL or blood pressure by lifestyle changes?

Accepted Answer

If lifestyle changes have not been successful in lowering LDL or blood pressure, the next course of action would be to prescribe medications. Medications like statins, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers may be necessary to manage these conditions. Surgery or nutrition counseling may not be necessary unless other underlying health conditions exist.

Question 12

What is the appropriate method of assessing blood lipids to ensure reliable results?

Accepted Answer

Taking at least 2 measurements at least 1 week apart is the appropriate method of assessing blood lipids to ensure reliable results. This allows for any potential fluctuations in lipid levels to be accounted for and provides a more accurate representation of overall lipid levels. Sending the patient to 2 different laboratories and averaging the results may lead to inconsistencies between the laboratories and does not necessarily ensure reliable results. Taking a fasting and a non-fasting sample and averaging the results may also lead to inconsistent results as lipid levels can vary depending on whether a patient has eaten recently or not. Performing a fat tolerance test is not a common method for assessing blood lipids and may not be necessary for routine lipid testing.

Question 13

To lower a high blood cholesterol level, which of the following is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Consuming fish, especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids, can help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Question 14

Among the following, which should be the first action taken to lower blood cholesterol?

Accepted Answer

Achieving and maintaining appropriate body weight can have a significant impact on reducing blood cholesterol levels. Excess body fat can contribute to higher cholesterol production in the liver and can also decrease the body's ability to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. This can lead to an increase in LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and a decrease in HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). By achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise, individuals can decrease their cholesterol levels naturally and also improve their overall health.

Question 15

A person who produces a normal amount of insulin but whose cells show suboptimal response is said to be in which of the following states?

Accepted Answer

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body's cells become resistant to insulin, resulting in higher than normal blood glucose levels, despite the pancreas producing a normal amount of insulin. Polydipsic refers to excessive thirst, hyperglucagonemic refers to high levels of glucagon hormone, and pancreatic beta-cell deficient refers to a state of inadequate insulin production by the pancreas.

Question 16

What is the magnitude of the increase in risk for CVD for a person with a blood pressure reading of 140/80 compared with the optimum blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the magnitude of the increase...

Question 17

Which of the following risk factors predict the development of hypertension?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following risk factors predict...

Question 18

Which of these values is the best predictor for risk of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

High blood pressure is the leading modifiable risk factor for stroke. It damages the walls of the blood vessels, making them more susceptible to the formation of blood clots and impeding proper blood flow to the brain. LDL-cholesterol levels, HDL-cholesterol levels, and trans-fatty acid intake are also important factors in predicting cardiovascular disease risk, but high blood pressure is the most significant risk factor for stroke.

Question 19

Which of the following characteristics of the metabolic syndrome is true?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following characteristics of the...

Question 20

Approximately what percent of people with high blood pressure are sensitive to salt?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Heart Association, about 50 percent of people with high blood pressure are sensitive to salt. This means that reducing salt intake can have a significant impact on blood pressure for many people.

Quiz 19: Diet and Health