NU 706 Final Exam Study Guide: Key Concepts in Cardiovascular
Health| 2026 Update with Complete Solutions
NU 706 Final Exam Blueprint
Cardiovascular
Calc. MAP, CO and Pulse pressure:
MAP: Mean Arterial pressure is the average pressure in the arteries in one systole-diastole cycle,
MAP = DP + 1/3 (SP-DP) or MAP = DP + 1/3PP
CO: Cardiac Output is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute (determined by
stroke volume and heart rate) CO=SV x HR
Cardiac Output (CO) and Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) significantly affect blood
pressure: BP=CO x SVR Therefore: CO=BP/SVR
PP: Pulse Pressure The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures SBP – DBP
*Represents the force the heart generates each time it contracts.
*Normal PP is approximately 40mmHG.
SV: Stroke Volume: The amount of blood ejected from the heart with each contraction.
EF: Ejection Fraction: The amount of the blood pumped out of the heart with each cycle
relative to how much blood volume is at the end of Diastole. (Not all blood in the heart is
ejected).
*EF measures how well the ventricle is functioning. Measured in %. EKG or CT used.
Heart failure HFrEF and HFpEF:
Heart Failure: Condition in which the heart has a problem with ventricular filling or ejection,
which then leads to a decreased cardiac output and inadequate perfusion,
-Most common risk factors: HTN, metabolic syndrome, DM, atherosclerotic disease
-often called congestive heart failure
-More prevalent in men than women
-Management includes: Identify and tx underlying cause and manage comorbidities,
lifestyle modification, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, ARNIs, Neprilysin, selective beta-1-
adrenergic blocking agent or alpha-1, beta-1, beta-2 receptor blocker
HFrEF: Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Factor. “Systolic dysfunction”
- Risk factors: Diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease and dyslipidemia.
HFpEF: Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Factor, “Diastolic dysfunction”
-More prevalent in older women with HTN
*Both HFrEF and HFdEF refer to LEFT Sided Heart Disease and often overlap.
, *Most common causes of both HFrEF and HFdEF: CAD (60-75%) and HTN (75%)
*Other risks: Valvular d/os, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, fibrosis, chronic dysrhythmias
*Non-cardiac related risk factors: Drug effects (anti-cancer drugs, antidiabetics, appetite
suppressants, chronic lung dz, anemia, thyroid d/os and thiamine deficiency (beriberi)
Cor Pulmonale: Right ventricle impairment that occurs with pulmonary diseases that cause
pulmonary hypertension (i.e. pulmonary heart disease).
Atrial: Relating to the heart’s upper chambers. Beat chaotically and irregularly.
Atrial fibrillation:
-Rapid, chaotic, ectopic atrial impulse formation (>400 impulses/min) causing ineffective
quivering atrial contraction. Irregularly Irregular
-One of the most common supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in adults >60 y/o -
Significantly increases risk of stroke (5 fold), heart failure (3 fold), dementia and mortality.
Anaerobic metabolism: ATP Production without oxygen, occurs by direct phosphate transfer
from phosphorylated intermediates to ADP forming ATP.
Stable angina: Refers to ischemia that is initiated by increased demand (activity) and relieved
with the reduction of that demand (rest).
-Other situations that can increase demand include a cold environment, sexual intercourse, stress
or stimulants such as cocaine.
-Duration less than 5 min
Unstable angina: Preinfarction state considered an acute coronary syndrome.
-Reversible, but once infarction, tissue death is irreversible
Cardiogenic shock: results when the pump fails. The heart cannot contract, fill, or eject, leading
to an inability to maintain adequate cardiac output. Usually caused by Anterior Wall MI usually
>40% left ventricle has been affected.
Atherosclerosis A chronic inflammatory disease characterized by thickening and hardening of
the arterial wall. Endothelium of the vessel wall is injured and becomes dysfunctional, initiating
the atherosclerotic process (begins early in life and worsens over time with aging).
-Results in decreased perfusion, ischemia, and infarct.
-Can cause injury to extremities and lead to Peripheral Artery Disease
Health| 2026 Update with Complete Solutions
NU 706 Final Exam Blueprint
Cardiovascular
Calc. MAP, CO and Pulse pressure:
MAP: Mean Arterial pressure is the average pressure in the arteries in one systole-diastole cycle,
MAP = DP + 1/3 (SP-DP) or MAP = DP + 1/3PP
CO: Cardiac Output is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute (determined by
stroke volume and heart rate) CO=SV x HR
Cardiac Output (CO) and Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) significantly affect blood
pressure: BP=CO x SVR Therefore: CO=BP/SVR
PP: Pulse Pressure The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures SBP – DBP
*Represents the force the heart generates each time it contracts.
*Normal PP is approximately 40mmHG.
SV: Stroke Volume: The amount of blood ejected from the heart with each contraction.
EF: Ejection Fraction: The amount of the blood pumped out of the heart with each cycle
relative to how much blood volume is at the end of Diastole. (Not all blood in the heart is
ejected).
*EF measures how well the ventricle is functioning. Measured in %. EKG or CT used.
Heart failure HFrEF and HFpEF:
Heart Failure: Condition in which the heart has a problem with ventricular filling or ejection,
which then leads to a decreased cardiac output and inadequate perfusion,
-Most common risk factors: HTN, metabolic syndrome, DM, atherosclerotic disease
-often called congestive heart failure
-More prevalent in men than women
-Management includes: Identify and tx underlying cause and manage comorbidities,
lifestyle modification, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, ARNIs, Neprilysin, selective beta-1-
adrenergic blocking agent or alpha-1, beta-1, beta-2 receptor blocker
HFrEF: Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Factor. “Systolic dysfunction”
- Risk factors: Diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease and dyslipidemia.
HFpEF: Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Factor, “Diastolic dysfunction”
-More prevalent in older women with HTN
*Both HFrEF and HFdEF refer to LEFT Sided Heart Disease and often overlap.
, *Most common causes of both HFrEF and HFdEF: CAD (60-75%) and HTN (75%)
*Other risks: Valvular d/os, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, fibrosis, chronic dysrhythmias
*Non-cardiac related risk factors: Drug effects (anti-cancer drugs, antidiabetics, appetite
suppressants, chronic lung dz, anemia, thyroid d/os and thiamine deficiency (beriberi)
Cor Pulmonale: Right ventricle impairment that occurs with pulmonary diseases that cause
pulmonary hypertension (i.e. pulmonary heart disease).
Atrial: Relating to the heart’s upper chambers. Beat chaotically and irregularly.
Atrial fibrillation:
-Rapid, chaotic, ectopic atrial impulse formation (>400 impulses/min) causing ineffective
quivering atrial contraction. Irregularly Irregular
-One of the most common supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in adults >60 y/o -
Significantly increases risk of stroke (5 fold), heart failure (3 fold), dementia and mortality.
Anaerobic metabolism: ATP Production without oxygen, occurs by direct phosphate transfer
from phosphorylated intermediates to ADP forming ATP.
Stable angina: Refers to ischemia that is initiated by increased demand (activity) and relieved
with the reduction of that demand (rest).
-Other situations that can increase demand include a cold environment, sexual intercourse, stress
or stimulants such as cocaine.
-Duration less than 5 min
Unstable angina: Preinfarction state considered an acute coronary syndrome.
-Reversible, but once infarction, tissue death is irreversible
Cardiogenic shock: results when the pump fails. The heart cannot contract, fill, or eject, leading
to an inability to maintain adequate cardiac output. Usually caused by Anterior Wall MI usually
>40% left ventricle has been affected.
Atherosclerosis A chronic inflammatory disease characterized by thickening and hardening of
the arterial wall. Endothelium of the vessel wall is injured and becomes dysfunctional, initiating
the atherosclerotic process (begins early in life and worsens over time with aging).
-Results in decreased perfusion, ischemia, and infarct.
-Can cause injury to extremities and lead to Peripheral Artery Disease
