Cardiovascular for the AANP FNP exam
The single highest-yield clinical system. Hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and ACS appear on every exam. Master first-line agents by demographic and key risk-stratification tools. This chapter has 21 topics, a video lecture, an audio lesson, clinical scenarios, exam pearls and a quiz.
What you will learn
- Apply ACC/AHA hypertension first-line therapy by patient demographic
- Use CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED to guide AFib anticoagulation
- Differentiate STEMI, NSTEMI, and unstable angina presentations
- Apply guideline-directed medical therapy for HFrEF
Topics in this chapter
- HypertensionStaging, treatment thresholds, first-line agents by demographic, drug specifics, crisis vs urgency, secondary HTN workup.
- Heart failureHFrEF vs HFpEF, four-pillar GDMT including SGLT2, NYHA classes, BNP interpretation, acute decompensated HF management.
- Acute coronary syndromeSTEMI vs NSTEMI vs unstable angina, EKG lead territories, MONA-BASH, door-to-balloon times, secondary prevention.
- Atrial fibrillationRate vs rhythm control, CHA2DS2-VASc breakdown, DOAC dosing by renal function, atrial flutter, WPW.
- HyperlipidemiaFour ACC/AHA statin-benefit groups, statin intensity, drug doses, intolerance management, PCSK9 indications.
- PAD, DVT, and PEPAD diagnosis and treatment, DVT and PE workup with Wells score, anticoagulation duration by provoked vs unprovoked.
- Murmurs and valvular diseaseThe five must-know murmurs, auscultation locations, maneuver effects on each, distinguishing HCM and MVP.
- CardiomyopathiesHCM, dilated, restrictive: hallmark findings, complications, and what to do.
- Arrhythmias beyond AFibAV blocks, SVT, VT and VF, atrial flutter, when to use which drug or shock.
- Syncope workupCardiac vs neurogenic vs orthostatic vs metabolic. Which workup, when to admit.
- Pericarditis and tamponadeAcute pericarditis, tamponade, Beck triad, pulsus paradoxus, treatment principles.
- Infective endocarditisDuke criteria, organisms by valve and risk factor, prophylaxis indications (much narrower than people remember).
- Pediatric cardiologyInnocent vs pathologic murmurs in kids, Kawasaki disease, congenital cyanotic vs acyanotic, newborn cardiac findings.
- Aortic diseaseAAA screening (USPSTF), thoracic aneurysm thresholds, type A vs B dissection, beta-blocker before vasodilator.
- Carotid disease & stroke preventionAsymptomatic vs symptomatic carotid stenosis, when to refer for endarterectomy, ABCD2 score, secondary stroke prevention.
- Pre-operative cardiac riskRevised Cardiac Risk Index, ACC/AHA preop algorithm, functional capacity in METs, when to stress-test, perioperative meds.
- EKG basics & high-yield patternsAxis, hypertrophy, bundle branch blocks, Wellens, de Winter, Brugada pattern, hyperkalemia, digoxin effect, J waves.
- Pulmonary hypertensionWHO 5-group classification, left heart disease is the most common cause, when to refer, group-specific treatment.
- Cardiovascular drug referenceQuick-reference table for the most-tested CV drugs: doses, mechanisms, side effects, contraindications.
- Raynaud's phenomenonPrimary vs secondary Raynaud's, the three-color sequence, trigger avoidance, when to suspect connective tissue disease, and a calcium-channel-blocker-first management ladder.
- Superficial thrombophlebitis vs DVTHow to tell superficial thrombophlebitis from DVT and cellulitis, why proximity to the saphenofemoral junction matters, and conservative versus anticoagulant management.
The full chapter is part of the membership. Open this chapter
Last updated November 4, 2026. Verify exam details against the official AANPCB Candidate Handbook before exam day.