CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AAPC
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ 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<
◉ 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
,◉ 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
◉ 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:
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ 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<
◉ 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
,◉ 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
◉ 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:
