BLOCK 1: Cardiac Physiology
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Welcome to our block on Cardiac Physiology! As you delve into the wonders of the human heart and the intricate networks that govern its function, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the elegance of our body's cardiovascular system and the nerves that modulate its rhythms.

Why is this block important?
The cardiovascular system is fundamental to maintaining life. Every beat of our heart sends vital nutrients and oxygen coursing through our body, sustaining every cell and organ. The autonomic nervous system, often working behind the scenes, fine-tunes this process, ensuring that our heart and blood vessels function in harmony, even as external conditions and internal demands change. A profound understanding of these processes is essential for medical practitioners, researchers, and anyone passionate about human physiology.

What can you expect to learn?
  • 1.1: Cardiac Cycle.Explore the rhythmic events of the heart, visualizing them on a pressure-time graph.
  • 1.2: Autonomic Nervous System: Anatomy.Learn about the divisions, structures, and roles of our body's automatic control system.
  • 1.3: Autonomic Nervous System: Adrenergic System. Explore the effects of adrenaline and related molecules on the cardiovascular system.
  • 1.4: Autonomic Nervous System: Cholinergic System. Examine the role of acetylcholine and its receptors in cardiovascular control.
  • 1.5: Autonomic Nervous System: Cardiovascular Regulation. Synthesize your knowledge, understanding how our body maintains cardiovascular stability.
  • 1.6: Circulatory Regulation. Explore the vital statistics like mean arterial pressure, understand control systems, and delve into the baroreceptor reflex's role.
  • 1.7: Coronary Physiology. Traverse the corridors of coronary circulation, understand oxygen demand determinants, and learn about coronary blood flow changes.
  • 1.8: Who Gets an AICD? Understand the criteria and considerations for an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) and its role in preventing sudden cardiac death.

Are you ready?
With an engaging combination of theory, diagrams, and real-world clinical insights, this block will transform the way you perceive and understand the cardiovascular system and the intricate neural networks that regulate it. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey as we navigate the wonders of the human heart and the autonomic nervous system. Happy learning!

Contributors: Nandan Anavekar, MBBCh; Mahmoud Ismayl, MD; Khalid Saeed Al-Asad, MD; Adnan Halboni, MD; Adolfo Martinez Salazar, MD; Anthony Kashou, MD
Progress
Instructors
GCU Education Team
Physician Educators
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