What is the most crucial factor in evaluating a driver's risk for hypertension?

Blood pressure levels are the most critical factor in evaluating a driver's risk for hypertension because hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is defined specifically by the measurements of blood pressure. The condition is typically diagnosed when a person's blood pressure readings are consistently above the normal range.

Monitoring blood pressure is essential because it directly reflects the pressure against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps. Elevated blood pressure can lead to severe health complications, including heart disease and stroke, both of which significantly impact a driver's ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.

While other factors such as heart rate variability, body mass index, and cholesterol levels can contribute to overall cardiovascular health and potentially influence blood pressure over time, they do not provide the immediate or direct assessment of hypertension risk that blood pressure levels do. Therefore, tracking and evaluating blood pressure is paramount in assessing a driver's risk for hypertension.