Which factor is a risk factor for hypertension?

• A. Tobacco use
• B. Age
• C. Obesity
• D. Unhealthy diet

Answer: (D)

A diet that is overall unhealthy directly influences blood pressure by promoting factors that raise it, such as high sodium intake increasing fluid volume and vascular resistance, and poor overall nutrition contributing to obesity and metabolic disturbances. These dietary patterns are strong, modifiable drivers of hypertension, and addressing them—through reducing sodium, improving nutrient balance, and adopting a healthier eating pattern—can meaningfully lower blood pressure. While age increases risk over time and obesity is also a risk factor, the option describing an unhealthy diet points to a direct, actionable cause that most clearly links to the development of hypertension. Tobacco use is harmful for cardiovascular health, but its relationship to sustained hypertension is less direct compared to the impact of dietary patterns.