Which of the following is not a risk factor that increases the incidence of hypertension?

• A. Excessive exercise
• B. Obesity
• C. High-sodium diet
• D. Chronic stress

Answer: (A)

Hypertension risk builds from factors that raise long-term blood pressure. Obesity increases blood volume and peripheral resistance, leading to higher pressure. A high-sodium diet promotes fluid retention, which raises blood volume and pressure. Chronic stress keeps the body in a state of sympathetic activation, contributing to higher blood pressure over time. In contrast, regular exercise helps the heart become more efficient and improves vessel function, which lowers resting blood pressure and reduces hypertension risk. Extremely intense exercise can cause temporary spikes during activity, but it does not raise long-term hypertension risk in healthy individuals. So, excessive exercise is not a risk factor for developing hypertension.