Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description
Care of the Heart
Instructor(s): Denise Smith, Health & Exercise Science
Can you really die of a broken heart? The heart evokes images of love and emotion,
yet from a physiological perspective it is essentially a pump designed to circulate
blood through the body. In this seminar, students will explore the historical association
between the physical function of the heart and the emotional meanings we attach to
it. Students will examine the physiological function of the cardiovascular system
from a scientific perspective. Students will compare normal cardiovascular physiology
to the pathological condition of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and will then explore
mechanisms of CVD progression, risk factor identification, prevention strategies and
treatment options, and the impact of behavioral choices on CVD risk. Students will
present and debate issues of public health policy related to recreation, physical
activity, nutrition and health care service and their impact on CVD prevalence.
Course Offered