Cardiovascular Medicine Flashcards

A 55-year-old man has a clinic blood pressure of 165/100 mmHg on three separate occasions. According to standard guidelines, what is the first-line lifestyle and pharmacological approach for stage 2 hypertension?

Answer: Lifestyle modification plus antihypertensive medication

Stage 2 hypertension warrants both lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy.

Which first-line antihypertensive is generally preferred in a young, non-black patient under 55 years?

Answer: ACE inhibitor

ACE inhibitors are first-line in younger non-black patients due to higher renin-driven hypertension.

A patient presents with blood pressure of 220/130 mmHg, headache, and papilloedema. What is this emergency called?

Answer: Hypertensive emergency (malignant hypertension)

Severe hypertension with acute end-organ damage such as papilloedema is a hypertensive emergency.

Which secondary cause of hypertension should be suspected in a young patient with hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis?

Answer: Primary hyperaldosteronism

Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome) classically causes hypertension with hypokalaemia and alkalosis.

A 60-year-old presents with exertional chest tightness relieved by rest. ECG at rest is normal. What is the most appropriate first investigation for stable angina?

Answer: Exercise or pharmacological stress testing

Stress testing assesses inducible ischaemia in suspected stable angina with a normal resting ECG.

Which medication provides symptomatic relief of acute angina by venodilation and reducing preload?

Answer: Sublingual glyceryl trinitrate

Sublingual GTN rapidly relieves angina by reducing preload through venodilation.

A patient with stable angina and type 2 diabetes needs long-term cardiovascular risk reduction. Which medication is indicated regardless of cholesterol level?

Answer: Statin

Statins are indicated for secondary prevention in established coronary disease irrespective of baseline cholesterol.