Which is an example of a secondary risk factor?

• A. Stress
• B. Smoking
• C. Poor diet
• D. Age

Answer: (A)

Stress is a secondary risk factor because it doesn’t directly cause disease on its own. Instead, it raises risk through indirect pathways: it can lead to unhealthy behaviors like poor sleep, overeating, physical inactivity, or increased tobacco or alcohol use, and it can trigger hormonal changes that raise blood pressure and inflammation. These indirect effects elevate overall risk when paired with other factors. In contrast, smoking directly harms the body, a poor diet contributes directly to disease processes, and age is a non-modifiable factor tied to biology and cumulative exposure. So stress best fits the idea of a secondary factor by influencing risk through intermediary factors rather than acting as a direct cause.