Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

What is a significant cause of coronary heart disease?

1. Excessive physical activity

2. Build-up of plaque in the arteries

3. Low-fat diet consumption

4. Lack of social interaction

The correct answer is: Build-up of plaque in the arteries

The build-up of plaque in the arteries is recognized as a primary contributor to coronary heart disease. This condition, known as atherosclerosis, occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances accumulate on the artery walls, leading to the formation of plaques. As these plaques grow, they narrow the arteries, making it difficult for blood to flow freely. This can reduce the oxygen supply to the heart muscle, potentially resulting in chest pain (angina) or heart attacks. Understanding this mechanism highlights the importance of managing risk factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes, which can accelerate plaque formation. Accordingly, lifestyle modifications and medical interventions can often focus on reducing plaque build-up to lower the risk of developing coronary heart disease. The presence of excessive physical activity, low-fat diet consumption, or lack of social interaction do not significantly lead to the development of coronary heart disease in the same way. While lifestyle choices related to diet and exercise play a crucial role in overall heart health, it is the accumulation of plaque that is directly associated with the blockages leading to this specific form of heart disease.