Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

In patients with hypertension, which lifestyle change should be emphasized the most?

1. Increased salt intake

2. Regular physical activity

3. Smoking cessation

4. Limited alcohol consumption

The correct answer is: Regular physical activity

Regular physical activity is emphasized as the most impactful lifestyle change for patients with hypertension due to its significant role in lowering blood pressure and improving overall cardiovascular health. Engaging in consistent exercise helps to strengthen the heart, enabling it to pump blood more efficiently, which can decrease the pressure in the arteries. Additionally, physical activity supports weight management, enhances insulin sensitivity, and can have a favorable effect on mental health, all of which contribute to better blood pressure control. While other lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and limited alcohol consumption, are also important and contribute positively to cardiovascular health, the direct impact of regular physical activity on reducing hypertension is particularly well-established in clinical guidelines. Each of these changes can be beneficial, but regular exercise stands out as a foundational element in managing high blood pressure effectively and sustainably.