Mar 15, 2026  
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year) 
    
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year)
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CVT 100 - Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology


Description
Students will learn vascular, pulmonary anatomy, and physiology in relation to cardiovascular function. This course will review cellular functions, cardiovascular systems and pulmonary systems as it pertains to cardiac function. Students will learn an overview of hemodynamics and introduction to cardiovascular pathologies.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: Cardiovascular Technology Program
Consent to Enroll in Course: Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: No
Course Fees: $392.00
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Cardiovascular Technology, A.A.A.S., Cardiovascular Technology, Certificate
General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
  1. Describe arterial and venous systems of the body.
  2. Describe peripheral arterial and venous anatomy.
  3. Describe structure and anatomy of the heart.
  4. Describe the cardiac flow cycle and left and right heart arterial systems.
  5. Review coronary artery physiology and cellular function as it relates to the cardiovascular system.
  6. Describe effects of preload and afterload.
  7. Relate physiological function of the kidneys, sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in cardiovascular health.
  8. Introduce common cardiovascular pathologies.

Course Outline:
Wk 1: Intro to Cardiovascular system
 
 
-The need for a cardiovascular system
-Arrangement of the cardiovascular system
-Functions of the heart and blood vessels
-Regulation of cardiac and vascular function
Wk 2:
-Cell membrane potentials
-Action potentials
-Overview of EKG
-Electrophysiological changes during cardiac ischemia
Wk 3: Cellular Structure and Function and Intro to cardiac anatomy
-Cardiac cell structure and function
-Vascular structure and function
-Intro to cardiac structure and anatomy
>>functional strcture, autonomic innervation
Wk 4: Cardiac Function
-Cardiac cycle
-Cardiac output
Wk 5: Preload and Afterload
-Preload
-Effects of Preload on Stroke Volume
-Afterload
-Effects of Afterload on Stroke Volume
Wk 6: Inotropy, Preload and Afterload and O2 consumption
-Effects of Ionotropy on Stroke volume
-Interdependence of Preload, Afterload, and Inotropy
-Myocardial O2 consumption
Wk 7: Midterm and Intro to Vascular Function
-Anatomy and Function
-Arterial Blood Pressure
-Hemodynamics
Wk 8: Vascular Function Continued
-Systemic vascular resistance
-Venous blood pressure
-Venous return and cardiac output
Wk 9: Nuerohumoral Control of the Heart and Circulation
-Autonomic neural control
-Humoral control
-Integration of neurohumoral mechanisms
Wk 10: Organ Blood Flow
-Distribution of cardiac output
-Regulation of blood flow
-Special Circulations
Wk 11: Microcirculation
-Mechanisms of exchange
-Exchange of O2 and CO2
Wk 12: Microcirculation continued
-Transcapillary Fluid Exchange
-Edema

Wk 13: Cardiovascular Integration, Adaptation and Pathophysiology

-Responses to exercise
-Change in cardiac funciton during pregnancy
Wk 14: Cardiovascular Integ…. cont.
-Hypotension
-Hypertension
Wk 15: Cardiovascular Integ…. cont
-Heart Failure
-Valve Disease

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture - 30-40%

Audio-Visual Video Content - 20-30%

Group Work & Individual Activites - 20-30%

Discussion/Participation - 10-20%

 
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None


Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course-Specific Placement Test: NA
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
NA
Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
Total Fieldwork Hours Per Week: None
People Soft Course ID Number: 105182
Course CIP Code: 51.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 25
School: School of Health & Exercise Science
Department: Allied Health
Discipline: CVT
First Term Valid: Winter 2023 (1/1/2023)
1st Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Name of Course Author:
Julie Lackscheide
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Certification/License Requirement (list below), Program Accreditation Requirement (list below), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
1) Bachelor’s degree
2) Hold a cardiovascular credential from at least one of the concentrations identified in these
Standards;
3) Have at least two years’ experience in cardiovascular health care;
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028



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