One way exercise helps reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

• A. Increases cholesterol
• B. Lowers cholesterol
• C. Improves mood slightly
• D. Worsens bone density

Answer: (B)

Regular exercise improves the body’s lipid profile, a major factor in cardiovascular disease risk. Consistent physical activity lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol, helping reduce plaque buildup in arteries. This direct effect on cholesterol levels is why lowering cholesterol is the best answer for how exercise reduces cardiovascular risk. Increasing cholesterol would raise risk; mood improvement, while beneficial, does not directly cut cardiovascular risk in the same way; and bone density changes are not a primary driver of cardiovascular risk.