07-22-2007, 12:08 AM
A healthy 42-year-old man comes to the physician for a life insurance evaluation.
He smoked one-half pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years but quit 10 years ago. His
father died of a myocardial infarction at the age of 65 years. The patient weighs 93
kg (205lb) and is 178 cm (70 in) tall. His blood pressure is 160/110 mm Hg,
pulse is 96/min, and respirations are 16/min. Physical examination, ECG, and an x-
ray film of the chest show no abnormalities. Laboratory studies are within normal
limits except for a serum cholesterol level of 206 mg/dL. Which of the following is
the greatest risk factor for cerebral infarction in this patient?
A) Genetic profile
B) History of smoking
C) Hypercholesterolemia
D) Hypertension
E) Obesity
He smoked one-half pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years but quit 10 years ago. His
father died of a myocardial infarction at the age of 65 years. The patient weighs 93
kg (205lb) and is 178 cm (70 in) tall. His blood pressure is 160/110 mm Hg,
pulse is 96/min, and respirations are 16/min. Physical examination, ECG, and an x-
ray film of the chest show no abnormalities. Laboratory studies are within normal
limits except for a serum cholesterol level of 206 mg/dL. Which of the following is
the greatest risk factor for cerebral infarction in this patient?
A) Genetic profile
B) History of smoking
C) Hypercholesterolemia
D) Hypertension
E) Obesity