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cardiovascular disease

Practice targeted AMC-style multiple-choice questions on cardiovascular disease.

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A 55-year-old man, non-smoker, presents for a health check. BP 135/85 mmHg, total cholesterol 5.5 mmol/L, HDL 1.2 mmol/L. No personal history of CVD or diabetes. Family history of premature CVD in father. BMI 28. Based on Australian guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial management step?

A. Order a fasting glucose and HbA1c.
B. Start perindopril 5mg daily.
C. Start atorvastatin 20mg daily.
D. Calculate absolute cardiovascular risk and discuss lifestyle modification.
E. Advise weight loss and recheck BP in 6 months.
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A 52-year-old woman with a 10-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presents to your clinic for a routine follow-up. She has been experiencing difficulty in controlling her blood glucose levels despite being on metformin and glipizide. Her HbA1c is 8.5%. She has a BMI of 32 kg/m² and a sedentary lifestyle. She reports consuming a diet high in processed foods and sugary beverages. Her blood pressure is 140/85 mmHg, and her lipid profile shows elevated LDL cholesterol. Which of the following dietary and lifestyle modifications is most likely to improve her glycemic control and overall cardiovascular risk profile?

A. Switching to a vegetarian diet and incorporating yoga
B. Adopting a Mediterranean diet and engaging in regular aerobic exercise
C. Reducing sodium intake and focusing on high-intensity interval training
D. Increasing protein intake and starting resistance training
E. Following a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet and practicing intermittent fasting
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A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes presents with stable angina. He is currently on metformin, atorvastatin, and lisinopril. Which of the following medications is most appropriate to add to his regimen to reduce angina symptoms?

A. Diuretic (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide)
B. Beta-blocker (e.g., metoprolol)
C. Angiotensin II receptor blocker (e.g., losartan)
D. Calcium channel blocker (e.g., amlodipine)
E. Nitrate (e.g., isosorbide mononitrate)
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A contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrating an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 4.8 * 3.8 cm
Image by James Heilman, MD CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

A 72-year-old male presents to his general practitioner for a routine check-up. He reports a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a 40-pack-year smoking history. He denies any abdominal pain, back pain, or lower extremity claudication. On physical examination, his vital signs are within normal limits. Auscultation of the abdomen is unremarkable, and peripheral pulses are palpable and symmetric. As part of his cardiovascular risk assessment, a contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed. An axial view from the scan is shown. Based on the image and the patient's clinical presentation, which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A. Prescribe a beta-blocker to reduce blood pressure and heart rate
B. Schedule a repeat CT scan in 6-12 months to monitor aneurysm size
C. Refer to vascular surgery for elective repair
D. Order an ultrasound of the abdomen to further evaluate the aorta
E. Initiate statin therapy and lifestyle modifications
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A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain radiating to the back. He is a smoker and has a history of hypertension. On examination, he is diaphoretic, with a heart rate of 120 bpm and blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg. Abdominal examination reveals a pulsatile mass in the midline. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Acute pancreatitis
B. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
C. Acute mesenteric ischemia
D. Perforated peptic ulcer
E. Renal colic
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A contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrating an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 4.8 * 3.8 cm
Image by James Heilman, MD CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

A 68-year-old male presents for routine follow-up. He is asymptomatic. Review the image. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A. Commence dual antiplatelet therapy
B. Repeat imaging in 6-12 months
C. Prescribe a statin
D. Initiate beta-blocker therapy
E. Schedule elective surgical repair
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A 45-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with recurrent episodes of palpitations and near-syncope. His ECG during an episode shows a wide QRS complex tachycardia with a rate of 220 bpm. There is no evidence of structural heart disease on echocardiography. Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism of his arrhythmia?

A. Triggered activity due to early afterdepolarizations
B. Re-entry within the Purkinje system
C. Abnormal impulse conduction through the atrioventricular node
D. Enhanced automaticity in the sinoatrial node
E. Myocardial ischemia leading to ventricular tachycardia
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A 62-year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man presents for a routine check-up. He has a history of smoking, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, managed with metformin. His blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg. Which of the following is the MOST significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease in this patient?

A. Type 2 diabetes
B. Smoking
C. Obesity
D. Indigenous status
E. Hypertension
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A patient is on metformin 1g BD, with a blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg, HbA1c of 8.5%, no history of cardiovascular disease, fasting blood sugar of 9 mmol/L, and an albumin/creatinine ratio of 500. Which drug should be added to their treatment regimen?

A. Pioglitazone
B. Ramipril
C. Sitagliptin
D. Gliclazide
E. Insulin
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A 50-year-old Aboriginal man presents for a routine check. He has a history of smoking and lives in a remote community. What screening is most important to address his increased risk?

A. Cardiovascular risk assessment and diabetes screening
B. Glaucoma screening
C. Prostate cancer screening
D. Vitamin D deficiency screening
E. Osteoporosis screening
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A 40-year-old Aboriginal man presents for a health check. He has a strong family history of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. What is the most appropriate initial screening test to assess his risk?

A. Liver function tests
B. Urine analysis
C. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile
D. Full blood count
E. ECG
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A contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrating an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 4.8 * 3.8 cm
Image by James Heilman, MD CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

A 68-year-old male presents for a routine check-up. He has a history of smoking and hypertension, managed with lisinopril. He denies any abdominal pain, back pain, or lower extremity claudication. Physical exam is unremarkable. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen is performed, the axial view is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A. Order a D-dimer to rule out acute aortic dissection
B. Referral to vascular surgery for elective repair
C. Initiate beta-blocker therapy to reduce wall stress
D. Repeat imaging in 6-12 months to monitor growth
E. Prescribe a statin to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques
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A 60-year-old non-smoker has a calculated 5-year cardiovascular disease risk of 12%. Based on current Australian guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial management focus?

A. Annual risk reassessment without intervention
B. Lifestyle modification and shared decision-making regarding pharmacotherapy
C. Immediate initiation of high-intensity statin therapy
D. Referral for specialist cardiology review
E. Low-dose aspirin therapy for primary prevention
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided hemianopia and mild right-sided weakness. Her symptoms began approximately 4 hours prior to arrival. Initial neurological examination revealed a left homonymous hemianopia, mild right hemiparesis (4/5 strength), and intact sensation. A CT angiogram was performed, identifying a cerebral aneurysm, and the patient subsequently underwent endovascular coiling. The provided image was obtained immediately following the procedure. Despite the intervention, the patient's left homonymous hemianopia persists, and her right hemiparesis has not improved. Considering the findings on the post-procedure imaging in the context of her ongoing neurological deficits, which of the following is the MOST appropriate immediate management step?

A. Administer intravenous thrombolysis given the persistent neurological deficits.
B. Perform an urgent brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging to assess for extent of infarction.
C. Initiate or optimise dual antiplatelet therapy to mitigate the risk of thromboembolism from the residual sac.
D. Continue current medical management and arrange for routine outpatient follow-up angiography in 3-6 months.
E. Arrange for urgent repeat endovascular coiling of the aneurysm to achieve complete occlusion.
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A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe chest pain radiating to his back. He describes the pain as tearing in nature. He has a history of hypertension and is a smoker. On examination, his blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg in the right arm and 160/100 mmHg in the left arm. His heart rate is 110 bpm, and he has diminished pulses in the left radial artery. A chest X-ray shows a widened mediastinum. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A. Immediate surgical consultation
B. CT angiography of the chest
C. Nitroglycerin infusion
D. Intravenous beta-blockers
E. Echocardiography
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A 55-year-old non-smoker with no known comorbidities has a consistent office BP of 155/98 mmHg. His 10-year CVD risk is calculated as low. According to Australian guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial management?

A. Recommend lifestyle modifications and review in 3-6 months
B. Investigate for secondary causes of hypertension
C. Initiate single antihypertensive therapy
D. Refer for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
E. Initiate dual antihypertensive therapy
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A contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrating an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 4.8 * 3.8 cm
Image by James Heilman, MD CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

A 68-year-old male presents for a routine check-up. He has a history of smoking and hypertension, managed with lisinopril. He denies any abdominal pain, back pain, or lower extremity claudication. Physical exam is unremarkable. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen is performed, the axial view is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A. Repeat imaging in 6-12 months
B. Start aspirin for secondary prevention
C. Refer to vascular surgery for elective repair
D. Prescribe a statin for lipid management
E. Initiate beta-blocker therapy
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A 68-year-old man with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and stable angina is scheduled for elective hernia repair surgery. He is currently on aspirin, metformin, lisinopril, and atorvastatin. His last angina episode was over a year ago, and he has no history of myocardial infarction. What is the most appropriate preoperative management step to minimize his cardiovascular risk during surgery?

A. Discontinue aspirin therapy one week before surgery
B. Increase the dose of atorvastatin
C. Continue aspirin therapy
D. Order a preoperative stress test
E. Start beta-blocker therapy
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A 68-year-old man with a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease presents to the emergency department with worsening shortness of breath and fatigue over the past week. On examination, he has elevated jugular venous pressure, bilateral lung crackles, and peripheral edema. An echocardiogram reveals reduced ejection fraction and dilated ventricles. Which of the following best explains the pathophysiological mechanism leading to his symptoms?

A. Increased peripheral resistance leading to left ventricular hypertrophy
B. Decreased venous return causing systemic hypotension
C. Enhanced myocardial contractility resulting in fluid retention
D. Decreased cardiac output leading to activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
E. Increased cardiac output causing pulmonary congestion
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A 40-year-old Aboriginal man presents for a health check. He reports feeling well but has a strong family history of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. What is the most appropriate initial screening test?

A. PSA
B. Full blood count
C. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile
D. ECG
E. Urine albumin creatinine ratio
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A 55-year-old man with a history of hypertension and smoking presents for a routine check-up. He is concerned about his risk of cardiovascular disease and asks for advice on lifestyle modifications. Which of the following lifestyle changes would most significantly reduce his risk of cardiovascular events?

A. Adopting a Mediterranean diet
B. Smoking cessation
C. Increasing physical activity
D. Limiting alcohol consumption
E. Reducing dietary salt intake
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A 60-year-old Aboriginal man presents for a routine check-up. He has a history of smoking and lives in a remote community. Which screening is MOST important, considering higher prevalence in this population?

A. PSA
B. Mammography
C. Albuminuria
D. Colonoscopy
E. Thyroid function tests
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A contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrating an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 4.8 * 3.8 cm
Image by James Heilman, MD CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

A 68-year-old male presents for a routine check-up. He has a history of smoking and hypertension, well-controlled with medication. He denies any abdominal pain, back pain, or lower extremity claudication. Physical exam is unremarkable. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen is performed, the axial view is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A. Referral for immediate surgical repair
B. Repeat imaging in 6-12 months
C. Start aspirin for secondary prevention
D. Initiate beta-blocker therapy
E. Prescribe a statin for lipid management
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A middle-aged man who already has a 20% cardiovascular risk and is on lifestyle modification and statin therapy: Which one of the following helps you assess his cardiovascular risk?

A. Coronary artery angiogram
B. ECG
C. Exercise ECG
D. Echocardiogram
E. Coronary artery calcium score
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A 55-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset severe abdominal pain radiating to the back. He has a history of hypertension and is a smoker. On examination, he is diaphoretic and in distress, with a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg and a heart rate of 110 bpm. Abdominal examination reveals a pulsatile mass in the midline. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Acute pancreatitis
C. Perforated peptic ulcer
D. Renal colic
E. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
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A 68-year-old man with a history of smoking and hypertension presents with intermittent claudication in his right leg. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is 0.6 on the right and 0.9 on the left. He has been on a supervised exercise program and optimal medical therapy for 6 months with no improvement in symptoms. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A. Continue with the current exercise program and medical therapy
B. Consideration for revascularization with angioplasty or bypass surgery
C. Start a trial of cilostazol
D. Increase the dose of his antihypertensive medication
E. Refer for a vascular ultrasound to reassess the ABI
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A middle-aged man with a 20% estimated cardiovascular risk is already on lifestyle modifications and statin therapy. Which of the following investigations can help further assess or reclassify his cardiovascular risk?

A. Coronary artery angiogram
B. Echocardiogram
C. Stress echocardiogram
D. Coronary artery calcium score
E. Exercise ECG
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