AAPC Cardiovascular System Pathophysiology Chapter 2
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2025-2026 LATEST UPDATE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWER
Blood pressure (BP) - answer>>>is the measure of the force of blood pushing against the
arterial walls. Is determined both by the amount of blood the heart pumps out, which
then passes through the blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets
while flowing through the arteries;
>The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood
pressure will be<
Various conditions and medications can lead to Secondary Hypertensions such as -
answer>>>-Obstructive sleep apnea
-Kidney disease
-Adrenal gland problems
-Endocrine tumors
-Thyroid problems
-Congenital heart defects
-Medication side effects: birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants
-Alcohol abuse or chronic use
-Illegal drug use; cocaine amphetamines
Hypertension (HTN- also called High blood pressure) - answer>>>Physician's Insight:
> elevated blood pressure
>is a serious medical condition in which pressure of circulating blood against arterial
walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems such heart disease
and stroke
>HTN is a worldwide epidemic, affecting an estimated 1.13 billion people globally and
nearly half adults in United States; (roughly 108 million Americans, and only about one
in four have their HTN under control)
,Types of (HTN): Primary (essential) Hypertension - answer>>>-develops gradually with
no identifiable cause of high BP; accounts for up to 95% of hypertension
-Researches are unclear about which mechanisms cause BP to slowly increase; they
believe it's likely due to a combination of factors: genetics, age-related physical changes
in the body and lifestyle choices
Secondary Hypertension - answer>>>-is caused by underlying condition
-Often appears suddenly; tends to become more severe; causing higher BP than primary
HTN
Risk factors for HTN (non-modifiable) - answer>>>-Age; most common in adults;
increases with age; children can be at risk too; (in children) caused by problems in the
kidneys, heart, or poor lifestyle habits
-Sex; before age 55, men are more likely to develop high BP; after age 55, women are
more likely to develop it
-Race; HTN is more common in African American adults than Caucasian, Hispanic or
Asian; compared with other racial or ethnic groups; African Americans tend to get HTN
earlier in life; have higher BP numbers; are more likely to have serious complications
Risk factors for HTN (modifiable) - answer>>>-Being overweight or obese; the more a
person weighs, the more blood they need to supply oxygen and nutrients to their tissues
-Smoking; and chewing tobacco raises BP immediately; the chemicals in tobacco can
damage the lining of the artery walls; causes the arteries to narrow, increasing the risk
of heart disease
-Physical inactivity
-Stress; high levels of stress can lead to increase in BP
-Unhealthy diet; Too much salt; too little potassium
-Alcohol; Heavy drinking over time can damage the heart and affect BP
, -Chronic conditions; such as kidney disease, diabetes and sleep apnea-may increase the
risk of HTN
Most people with high BP won't experience - answer>>>any signs or symptoms, even if
the readings reach dangerously high levels; HTN can be called "the silent killer"
Symptoms of Sever HTN - answer>>>Brain symptoms:
-Headaches
-Dizziness
-Visual changes
-Nausea and vomiting
Cardiac symptoms:
-Chest pain
-Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
-Weakness
Vascular symptoms:
-Nosebleeds
-Flushing
Renal symptoms:
-Hematuria (blood in urine)
-Proteinuria (protein in urine)
-Oliguria (decrease urine production)
>These symptoms require immediate medical attention<
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2025-2026 LATEST UPDATE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWER
Blood pressure (BP) - answer>>>is the measure of the force of blood pushing against the
arterial walls. Is determined both by the amount of blood the heart pumps out, which
then passes through the blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets
while flowing through the arteries;
>The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood
pressure will be<
Various conditions and medications can lead to Secondary Hypertensions such as -
answer>>>-Obstructive sleep apnea
-Kidney disease
-Adrenal gland problems
-Endocrine tumors
-Thyroid problems
-Congenital heart defects
-Medication side effects: birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants
-Alcohol abuse or chronic use
-Illegal drug use; cocaine amphetamines
Hypertension (HTN- also called High blood pressure) - answer>>>Physician's Insight:
> elevated blood pressure
>is a serious medical condition in which pressure of circulating blood against arterial
walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems such heart disease
and stroke
>HTN is a worldwide epidemic, affecting an estimated 1.13 billion people globally and
nearly half adults in United States; (roughly 108 million Americans, and only about one
in four have their HTN under control)
,Types of (HTN): Primary (essential) Hypertension - answer>>>-develops gradually with
no identifiable cause of high BP; accounts for up to 95% of hypertension
-Researches are unclear about which mechanisms cause BP to slowly increase; they
believe it's likely due to a combination of factors: genetics, age-related physical changes
in the body and lifestyle choices
Secondary Hypertension - answer>>>-is caused by underlying condition
-Often appears suddenly; tends to become more severe; causing higher BP than primary
HTN
Risk factors for HTN (non-modifiable) - answer>>>-Age; most common in adults;
increases with age; children can be at risk too; (in children) caused by problems in the
kidneys, heart, or poor lifestyle habits
-Sex; before age 55, men are more likely to develop high BP; after age 55, women are
more likely to develop it
-Race; HTN is more common in African American adults than Caucasian, Hispanic or
Asian; compared with other racial or ethnic groups; African Americans tend to get HTN
earlier in life; have higher BP numbers; are more likely to have serious complications
Risk factors for HTN (modifiable) - answer>>>-Being overweight or obese; the more a
person weighs, the more blood they need to supply oxygen and nutrients to their tissues
-Smoking; and chewing tobacco raises BP immediately; the chemicals in tobacco can
damage the lining of the artery walls; causes the arteries to narrow, increasing the risk
of heart disease
-Physical inactivity
-Stress; high levels of stress can lead to increase in BP
-Unhealthy diet; Too much salt; too little potassium
-Alcohol; Heavy drinking over time can damage the heart and affect BP
, -Chronic conditions; such as kidney disease, diabetes and sleep apnea-may increase the
risk of HTN
Most people with high BP won't experience - answer>>>any signs or symptoms, even if
the readings reach dangerously high levels; HTN can be called "the silent killer"
Symptoms of Sever HTN - answer>>>Brain symptoms:
-Headaches
-Dizziness
-Visual changes
-Nausea and vomiting
Cardiac symptoms:
-Chest pain
-Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
-Weakness
Vascular symptoms:
-Nosebleeds
-Flushing
Renal symptoms:
-Hematuria (blood in urine)
-Proteinuria (protein in urine)
-Oliguria (decrease urine production)
>These symptoms require immediate medical attention<
