SIHD ASCVD Exam Questions &
Answers 2024/2025
What CV conditions directly lead to the development of ASVD? - ANSWERS-HTN
-Hypercholesterolemia
What are CV conditions that are clinical ASCVD and directly contribute to risk of mortality? -
ANSWERSSIHD (hx of MI, stable angina), acute coronary syndromes, stroke, TIA, PAD
What are CV conditions that are not ASCVD and do not directly lead to the development of ASCVD? -
ANSWERSHF, arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter), valvular heart disease
What is SIHD? - ANSWERSA form of clinical ASCVD, characterized by EITHER reversible angina pectoris
(chronic stable angina or vasospastic angina) OR a hx of an ACS (e.g., MI)
Is SIHD symptomatic or asymptomatic? - ANSWERScan be either
What is the pathophys for SIHD? - ANSWERSDevelopment of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries
(remember 4 steps of atherosclerosis --> endothelial dysfunction, fatty streaks, plaque, thrombus)
What is chronic stable angina & when do sx occur? - ANSWERS-Angina pectoris is often related to
exertion, emotional stress, and exposure to cold
-Sx occurs typically during the day
What is vasospastic angina & when do sx occur? - ANSWERS-Coronary ischemia is related to spasm of
the coronary artery
-Sx typically occur at night or at rest
What is a past hx of ACS (e.g., MI) & when do sx occur? - ANSWERS-Coronary ischemia led to ACS in the
past
, -No sx
Define ischemia. - ANSWERScondition where blood flow (& thus delivery of O2) is restricted to a part of
the body
What is cardiac ischemia? - ANSWERSlack of blood flow & oxygen to the myocardium (heart muscle) & is
called angina pectoris
How does angina pectoris present? - ANSWERSchest pain - caused by myocardial anoxia as a result
occlusion of the coronary arteries from either atherosclerosis or spasm
List the 3 criteria that classify clinical chest pain. - ANSWERSSubsternal chest discomfort:
1) w/ a characteristic quality (pressure-like) & duration (short)
2) that is provoked by exertion or emotional stress
3) that is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin
What criteria must be met for a pt to be classified as having typical angina (definite)? - ANSWERSmeet all
3 criteria
What criteria must be met for a pt to be classified as having atypical angina (probable)? - ANSWERSmeet
2 of the 3 criteria
What criteria must be met for a pt to be classified as having non-cardiac chest pain? - ANSWERSmeets ≤
1 of the typical angina characteristics
What are the typical characteristics of chest pain? (aka where on the body does the pain present) -
ANSWERSLocation: substernal
Radiation: to neck, jaw or left shoulder
What could be other causes of chest pain that is NOT cardiac related? - ANSWERSGI etiologies (GERD,
heartburn, acid reflux, etc.)
Answers 2024/2025
What CV conditions directly lead to the development of ASVD? - ANSWERS-HTN
-Hypercholesterolemia
What are CV conditions that are clinical ASCVD and directly contribute to risk of mortality? -
ANSWERSSIHD (hx of MI, stable angina), acute coronary syndromes, stroke, TIA, PAD
What are CV conditions that are not ASCVD and do not directly lead to the development of ASCVD? -
ANSWERSHF, arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter), valvular heart disease
What is SIHD? - ANSWERSA form of clinical ASCVD, characterized by EITHER reversible angina pectoris
(chronic stable angina or vasospastic angina) OR a hx of an ACS (e.g., MI)
Is SIHD symptomatic or asymptomatic? - ANSWERScan be either
What is the pathophys for SIHD? - ANSWERSDevelopment of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries
(remember 4 steps of atherosclerosis --> endothelial dysfunction, fatty streaks, plaque, thrombus)
What is chronic stable angina & when do sx occur? - ANSWERS-Angina pectoris is often related to
exertion, emotional stress, and exposure to cold
-Sx occurs typically during the day
What is vasospastic angina & when do sx occur? - ANSWERS-Coronary ischemia is related to spasm of
the coronary artery
-Sx typically occur at night or at rest
What is a past hx of ACS (e.g., MI) & when do sx occur? - ANSWERS-Coronary ischemia led to ACS in the
past
, -No sx
Define ischemia. - ANSWERScondition where blood flow (& thus delivery of O2) is restricted to a part of
the body
What is cardiac ischemia? - ANSWERSlack of blood flow & oxygen to the myocardium (heart muscle) & is
called angina pectoris
How does angina pectoris present? - ANSWERSchest pain - caused by myocardial anoxia as a result
occlusion of the coronary arteries from either atherosclerosis or spasm
List the 3 criteria that classify clinical chest pain. - ANSWERSSubsternal chest discomfort:
1) w/ a characteristic quality (pressure-like) & duration (short)
2) that is provoked by exertion or emotional stress
3) that is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin
What criteria must be met for a pt to be classified as having typical angina (definite)? - ANSWERSmeet all
3 criteria
What criteria must be met for a pt to be classified as having atypical angina (probable)? - ANSWERSmeet
2 of the 3 criteria
What criteria must be met for a pt to be classified as having non-cardiac chest pain? - ANSWERSmeets ≤
1 of the typical angina characteristics
What are the typical characteristics of chest pain? (aka where on the body does the pain present) -
ANSWERSLocation: substernal
Radiation: to neck, jaw or left shoulder
What could be other causes of chest pain that is NOT cardiac related? - ANSWERSGI etiologies (GERD,
heartburn, acid reflux, etc.)
