Cardiovascular Disease - Syllabus

**Course Syllabus: Cardiovascular Disease**

**Course Information**

* Course Title: Cardiovascular Disease
* Course Code: MED 431
* Credit Hours: 3.0
* Prerequisites: Medical School Level III
* Instructor Information:
+ Name: Dr. Jane Smith, MD
+ Email: [jane.smith@medicalschool.edu](mailto:jane.smith@medicalschool.edu)
+ Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-4 PM

**Course Description**

Cardiovascular Disease is a comprehensive course designed to provide medical students with a detailed understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular diseases. This course is relevant to medical practice as it addresses the growing burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Students will learn about the latest diagnostic techniques, treatment options, and preventive strategies for cardiovascular disease.

The target audience for this course includes medical students who are in their third year or higher and have a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Students will develop critical thinking skills to analyze complex cases and apply evidence-based medicine to manage patients with cardiovascular diseases.

**Learning Objectives**

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias (Bloom's taxonomy: Understand)
2. Apply diagnostic techniques for cardiovascular disease, including echocardiography, stress testing, and biomarker analysis (Bloom's taxonomy: Apply)
3. Analyze the effects of lifestyle modifications on cardiovascular risk factors, such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation (Bloom's taxonomy: Analyze)
4. Evaluate the benefits and limitations of various pharmacological treatments for cardiovascular disease, including statins, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors (Bloom's taxonomy: Evaluate)
5. Develop a treatment plan for patients with coronary artery disease, including revascularization and antiplatelet therapy (Bloom's taxonomy: Apply)
6. Identify the risk factors for stroke and develop a management plan to reduce cardiovascular events (Bloom's taxonomy: Analyze)
7. Understand the importance of lipid management in patients with cardiovascular disease (Bloom's taxonomy: Evaluate)
8. Recognize the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias and develop an emergency response plan (Bloom's taxonomy: Understand)

**Course Content Outline**

Week 1: Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease

* Topics:
+ Definition and epidemiology
+ Pathophysiology
+ Risk factors
Estimated hours: 2

Week 2-3: Hypertension

* Topics:
+ Etiology and pathophysiology
+ Diagnosis and treatment options
+ Complications and consequences
Estimated hours: 4

Week 4-5: Coronary Artery Disease

* Topics:
+ Angina and myocardial infarction
+ Revascularization options (PTCA, CABG)
+ Antiplatelet therapy
Estimated hours: 4

Week 6-7: Heart Failure

* Topics:
+ Acute and chronic heart failure
+ Diagnosis and treatment options
+ Management of symptoms and complications
Estimated hours: 4

Week 8-9: Arrhythmias

* Topics:
+ Classification and diagnosis
+ Pharmacological management
+ Electrophysiology and catheterization
Estimated hours: 3

Week 10-11: Lipid Management

* Topics:
+ Lipid profiles and risk assessment
+ Treatment options (statins, fibrates)
+ Lifestyle modifications
Estimated hours: 2

Week 12: Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

* Topics:
+ Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, smoking cessation)
+ Pharmacological interventions (statins, beta-blockers)
+ Preventive strategies for cardiovascular disease
Estimated hours: 2

**Required Readings & Resources**

* Textbooks:
+ "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" (Chapter 14: Cardiovascular Disease)
+ "Current Therapy in Cardiology" (Chapter 1: Hypertension, Chapter 5: Coronary Artery Disease)
* Journal articles:
+ "JAMA" - "2022 Update on the Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure"
+ "NEJM" - "2019 Guidelines for the Management of Coronary Artery Disease"
* Online resources:
+ American Heart Association (AHA) website
+ American College of Cardiology (ACC) website
* Reference materials:
+ "Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary"

**Assessment & Grading**

* Exams: 40%
+ Midterm exam (Week 4): 15%
+ Final exam (Week 12): 25%
* Assignments: 20%
+ Case presentations (Weeks 6, 10)
+ Critical thinking exercises (Weeks 2, 8)
* Participation: 10%
+ Class discussions and questions
+ Group projects
* Late submission policy: 5%
+ Each late submission will incur a 1% penalty per day

**Course Schedule**

| Week | Topics |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease |
| 2-3 | Hypertension |
| 4-5 | Coronary Artery Disease |
| 6-7 | Heart Failure |
| 8-9 | Arrhythmias |
| 10-11 | Lipid Management |
| 12 | Cardiovascular Risk Reduction |

Important dates:

* Midterm exam: Week 4
* Final exam: Week 12
* Case presentations: Weeks 6, 10

**Course Policies**

* Attendance policy:
+ Regular attendance is expected. More than two unexcused absences will negatively impact participation grades.
* Academic integrity:
+ Plagiarism and academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
* Late submission policy:
+ Each late submission will incur a 1% penalty per day.
* Accommodations:
+ Students with disabilities or special needs should contact the instructor by Week 2 to arrange accommodations.

By completing this course, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular disease and its management. The course is designed to prepare students for the ABIM exam and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice evidence-based medicine in cardiovascular care.