Main description:

An Introduction to Cardiovascular Physiology provides the student with the key concepts of cardiovascular physiology, from the fundamentals of how the cardiovascular system works in both health and disease, through to a consideration of more complex physiological mechanisms. This brand new companion work Cardiovascular Physiology: Questions for Self-Assessment allows students to test themselves on all aspects of the topic with over 200 questions and answers, at a pace to suit their learning.

Questions follow An Introduction to Cardiovascular Physiology's table of contents, and the author has set at least one question on each chapter's learning objective to help the student to assess their progress against the set objectives. The questions are designed to test basic understanding, fundamental principles and medical relevance, and they avoid excessive detail. Most are in a multiple choice, True/False format, with a sprinkling of other question styles including extended matching questions, where the reader chooses the best answer from a list, and testing little numerical problems. Also included with the answers are 'More information' boxes that include a brief explanation, and links to relevant information and figures from a range of chapters, thus encouraging integration of learning across the subject.

Contents:

Overview of the cardiovascular system. The cardiac cycle. The cardiac myocyte: excitation and contraction. Initiation and nervous control of heartbeat. Electrocardiography and arrhythmias. Control of stroke volume and cardiac output. Assessment of cardiac output and peripheral pulse. Haemodynamics: flow, pressure and resistance. The endothelial cell. The microcirculation and solute exchange. Circulation of fluid between plasma, interstitium and lymph. Vascular smooth muscle: excitation, contraction and relaxation. Control of blood vessels I. Intrinsic control. Control of blood vessels II. Extrinsic control by nerves and hormones. Specialization in individual circulations. Cardiovascular receptors, reflexes and central control. Co-ordinated cardiovascular responses. Cardiovascular responses in pathological situations.