An increase in blood flow and a reduction in the resting heart rate lo

An increase in blood flow and a reduction in the resting heart rate lower the occurrence of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, a medical condition in which blood pressure is chronically elevated. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes and heart attacks. A regimen of regular walking can assist some people in greatly increasing their blood flow and significantly decreasing their resting heart rate.

Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the statements above?


A) Individuals who walk on a regular basis do not run any risk of developing hypertension.

B) Individuals who do not walk on a regular basis run a high risk of developing hypertension.

C) Walking is the most effective method for increasing blood flow and decreasing a resting heart rate.

D) A program of regular walking for some people can lower a risk factor for strokes.

E) Only regular walking is necessary to lower the risk of heart attacks.

A) Individuals who walk on a regular basis do not run any risk of developing hypertension.= Incorrect we cant be sure that walking does mot run any risk of developing hypertension
B) Individuals who do not walk on a regular basis run a high risk of developing hypertension. - Incorrect as Extreme Answer choice
C) Walking is the most effective method for increasing blood flow and decreasing a resting heart rate. Incorrect- We must pay close attention to the word "Most" Nowhere in the stimulus it is mentioned or can be infer that walking is the most effective method for increasing blood flow
D) A program of regular walking for some people can lower a risk factor for strokes. CORRECT as for some people it can help in lowering risk factor for strokes
E) Only regular walking is necessary to lower the risk of heart attacks - Incorrect ...The word "only" makes this option incorrect

Veritas Prep Official Solution:

The correct answer to this question is (D). This is an Inference question, requiring the test taker to choose the correct answer which must be true based on the information provided in the stimulus.


Regarding choice A, the passage only infers that walking lowers the occurrence of hypertension, but does not state that walking eliminates the risk of hypertension.

Choice B is incorrect because the passage only infers that one way to lower the occurrence of hypotension is walking; it does not infer that this is the only way to lower the risk of hypertension.

Choice C is incorrect as the passage states that walking can assist some people in increasing blood flow and decreasing their resting heart rate, but it does not infer that this is the only way to achieve such results.

Choice D is the correct answer. This statement properly identifies the inference that for some people, walking increases blood flow and decreases resting heart rates, which lowers the occurrence of hypertension, itself a risk factor for strokes.

Choice E is incorrect as the passage infers that regular walking reduces a risk factor for heart attacks, but does not infer that this is the only way to lower such risks.

(increased blood flow) + (lower resting heart rate) = lower hypertension
Persistent hypertension = a factor of strokes and heart attacks

Regular walking can assist some people in greatly increasing their blood flow and significantly decreasing their resting heart rate.

A) Individuals who walk on a regular basis do not run any risk of developing hypertension. - All the passage mentions is that regular walking can help some people in lowering their chances of developing hypertension; we do not have any information in the passage that suggests that regular walking alone is sufficient for everyone, in lowering their chances of developing hypertension.

B) Individuals who do not walk on a regular basis run a high risk of developing hypertension. - The passage strictly deals with those who opt to walk regularly. We do not have any information on those who do not opt to walk regularly. Hence, we cannot make any statements regarding those who do not opt to walk.

C) Walking is the most effective method for increasing blood flow and decreasing a resting heart rate. - "Regular Walking" is certainly one method that can lower the chances of developing hypertension for some people who opt to walk regularly. We do not have any information in the passage that suggests that walking is the ''most effective'' method.

D) A program of regular walking for some people can lower a risk factor for strokes. - the information provided in the passage can certainly support (D). Hence, (D) is the right answer choice.

E) Only regular walking is necessary to lower the risk of heart attacks. - "Regular Walking" is certainly one method that can lower the risks of a heart attack for some people who opt to walk regularly. We do not have any information in the passage that suggests that walking alone is ''sufficient'' to lower the risks of heart attacks.

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.