In human biology and health, chronic psychological stress is an important lifestyle factor that contributes to an increased risk of developing heart disease.

Introduction / Context:
Heart disease is a major cause of death worldwide, and modern lifestyle factors such as chronic stress, poor diet, smoking, and lack of physical activity are important contributors. This question tests basic awareness from biology and health science about the link between chronic psychological stress and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and hypertension related complications. Understanding this link helps students appreciate the importance of mental health and stress management as part of preventive cardiology.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The statement given is that stress is a factor that contributes to heart disease risk.
• Stress here mainly refers to chronic psychological or emotional stress rather than brief minor stress.
• The focus is on long term cardiovascular health and not just short lived changes like a brief rise in heart rate.
• We assume standard human physiology as taught in basic biology and health education.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that chronic stress activates the body stress response system, including the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. Persistent activation leads to increased levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Over time, these changes can raise blood pressure, increase blood sugar, alter blood lipids, promote inflammation, and damage the inner lining of blood vessels. All these effects contribute to a higher risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Therefore, we evaluate whether the statement correctly reflects this relationship.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that chronic stress is associated with elevated blood pressure and heart rate over long periods. Step 2: Understand that stress hormones such as cortisol can disturb lipid profile, increase abdominal fat deposition, and worsen blood vessel health. Step 3: Recognize that these changes promote atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaques in coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Step 4: Note that many epidemiological studies show that people with high chronic stress have a higher incidence of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. Step 5: Conclude that the statement is accurate and that stress is indeed a contributory risk factor for heart disease rather than being unrelated or protective.

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to verify this idea is to look at standard lists of cardiovascular risk factors used in clinical practice and public health guidelines. Along with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity, chronic stress, depression, hostility, and social isolation are documented as psychosocial risk factors for heart disease. Stress management, relaxation techniques, healthy coping strategies, social support, and psychological counseling are often recommended as part of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation and preventive programs. This supports the conclusion that the original statement is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B claims that stress has no relationship with heart disease risk. This is incorrect because there is clear physiological and epidemiological evidence that chronic stress contributes to cardiovascular risk. Option C states that the statement is only correct for women and not for men. This is wrong because both men and women can experience stress related cardiovascular risk, although patterns may vary. Option D restricts the correctness to elderly people above seventy years. In reality, stress can increase heart disease risk in middle aged adults as well, not only the very old. Option E limits it to athletes under intense training. While athletes can face specific stressors, the stress related risk of heart disease is relevant to the general population, not only to athletes.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to think that heart disease is caused only by physical factors like high fat diet or smoking and to ignore psychological stress. Another error is to confuse short term mild stress, which the body can handle, with chronic unrelieved stress which can be harmful. Some students also assume that mental or emotional factors never affect physical organs. In reality, mind and body are strongly connected, and chronic stress plays a role in many non communicable diseases including heart disease.

Final Answer:
The correct interpretation is that the original statement is true, so the correct choice is Correct the statement is true and stress increases heart disease risk.