Cardiorespiratory Health

Online Course -A Fit Heart and Fit lungs are critical to a person's overall health, wellbeing and longevity.

Cardiovascular disease has become a serious problem in modern society.

Gain an insight and understanding of how your cardiovascular and respiratory systems work together to oxygenate cells and remove carbon dioxide from your body. Understand how the systems are regulated in both resting and active states and learn how different conditions can affect your cardiorespiratory performance. An ideal course for anyone with an introductory knowledge of human biology who is keen to expand their understand of these vital body systems.
 

COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 7 lessons as follows:

1.  The Science of Blood

• The Functions of Blood

• Components of Blood

• Blood Typing

• Blood Cells

• Hematopoiesis; Erythropoiesis, Leukopoiesis, Lymphopoiesis

• Blood Cell function; Erythrocytes, Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Thrombocytes etc

• The Immune Response
• Haemostasis
• Clotting Mechanism
• Haemodynamics
• Circulatory Networks
• Blood Testing
• Full Blood Count
• Cross Matching
• Blood Cultures
• Arterial Blood Gas
• Biochemical and Metabolic Tests
• INR
• Blood Disorders; Red & White Blood disorders, Blood Clotting, Poisoning
• Lymphatic System

 

2. Blood Pressure

• Factors Affecting Blood Pressure; cardiac output, peripheral resistance, blood volume

• How Blood Pressure is Measured

• The Cardiac Cycle

• Heart Muscle Cell Contraction

• Electrical Control of the Heart Muscle Cells; Sinoatrial Node (SA Node), Atrioventricular Node (AV Node), Bundle of His (Atrioventricular bundle), Purkinje Fibres
• Blood Pressure Problems

• Systolic hypertension, Diastolic hypertension and Hypertension

• Distribution of Blood Flow

• Regulating Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

• Sensors

• Problems with Heart Rate; variations, and other conditions including Myocardial infarction and Cardiac Tamponade
• Electrocardiograms and their Interpretation

3.  Pulmonary Ventilation

• The Respiratory System

• Respiratory Epithelium

• The Lungs

• Lung Anatomy

• Alveoli

• Airway Anatomy

• Nasal and oral cavities
• Pharynx
• Epiglottis
• Larynx
• Trachea
• Bronchi and bronchioles

• Physiology of Breathing; Equilibrium, Pressure, Inspiration, Expiration

• Physiological Measures of Lung Capacity and Function; Total Lung Capacity, Tidal Volume, Vital Capacity, Forced Vital Capacity, IRV, ERV, Functional Residual Capacity, MV, VO2 Max, etc

• Effect of Exercise on Pulmonary Ventilation

 

4. Gas Exchange & Transport

• Gas Exchange in the Human Body

• External Respiration

• Oxygen Transport

• Internal Respiration

• Haemoglobin

• Carbon Dioxide Transport

• Biochemistry of Gas Exchange; Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law, Dalton’s Law, Henry’s Law, etc

• Factors Affecting Gas Exchange; Partial pressure Gradients, Gas Solubility, Membrane thickness, etc

• Compliance

• Respiratory Control

 

5.  Blood Flow & Gas Transport

• Blood Flow; Volume, Target

• Gas Transport

• Arterial-Alveolar Gradient

• Oxygen Transport

• Factors Effecting Oxygen Release by Haemoglobin

• The Bohr-Haldane Effect

• Cellular Respiration

• Energy Production; anaerobic and aerobic

• Blood Flow During Exercise and Rest

6.  Cardio Respiratory Control

• Cardio Respiratory Control and the Nervous System

• Input Sensors

• The CV Centre

• High Brain Centres

• Baroreceptors and Chemoreceptors

• The Respiratory Centre

• Starling’s Law

• Capillaries

• The Control of Heart and Lungs During Exercise

 

7.  Cardio Respiratory Disease

• Cardiac Diseases and Injuries

• Chronic Heart Failure

• Congestive Heart Failure

• Myocardial Infarction and Ischemia

• Cardiovascular Diseases

• Coronary Heart Disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Aneurysm
• Vasculitis
• Venous thrombosis
• Varicose veins

• Causes of Cardiovascular Disease; lifestyle, diet, obesity, genetics, smoking, hypertension, etc

• Respiratory Disease

• Asthma

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Emphysema
• Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

• Effects of Cardio Pulmonary Disease

 

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading. During the course students will have practical tasks to perform in their own home, allowing you to experience and investigate the concepts taught in the lessons.