Which of the following is considered a less important risk factor for atherosclerosis?

Stress is considered a less important risk factor for atherosclerosis when compared to the other options listed. While stress can contribute to overall cardiovascular health issues, it does not have the same direct and significant impact on the development of atherosclerosis as hypertension, diabetes, or family history.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a well-established risk factor because it causes damage to the blood vessel walls, leading to the accumulation of plaque that characterizes atherosclerosis. Similarly, diabetes is linked to an increased risk due to high blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels and promoting plaque formation. Family history reflects genetic predisposition and influences other modifiable risk factors, reinforcing its importance.

In contrast, while stress may aggravate other existing conditions or contribute to unhealthy lifestyle choices (such as poor diet or physical inactivity), its direct causal relationship with atherosclerosis is not as strong as that of the other three factors. Therefore, stress can be viewed as a contributing factor rather than a primary one in the context of atherosclerosis.