Cardiac Course Introduction

The Cardiac course is an integrative course covering some of the most common and most important information and disease processes related to the Cardiac and Cardiovascular system.  In this course, you will find discussion of Cardiac Anatomy and how to listen to heart sounds, as well as major disease processes such as Acute Coronary Syndromes (Angina, MI), Hypertension, Endocarditis, and Valve Disorders. You will also find a detailed discussion of two complex disease processes – Heart Failure and Shock – presented in a way that will demystify and clarify the different types and how to manage each one competently and confidently. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to…

1. Explain the basics of cardiac anatomy and coronary circulation and correctly assess and interpret heart sounds and basic hemodynamic values in a patient.
2. Explain the pathophysiology of the different types of Acute Coronary Syndromes, and confidently assess and choose appropriate interventions for a patient experiencing Angina or a Myocardial Infarction.
3. Explain the difference between Right- and Left-Sided Heart Failure and confidently assess and choose appropriate interventions for a client with symptoms of Heart Failure.
4. Describe, assess, and choose appropriate interventions for various Cardiovascular Disorders such as Hypertension, Endocarditis, Valve Disorders, and Aneurysms.
5. Explain the basic pathophysiology of shock and the difference between Hypovolemic, Cardiogenic, and Distributive shocks (i.e. septic, anaphylactic, neurogenic), as well as to confidently assess and choose appropriate interventions for a patient experiencing Shock.