COURSE XI: Clinical Presentations of Cardiovascular Disease

The first lesson covers the basic anatomy and physiology of the heart and major blood vessels, the learning initially guided by John Campbell. Having grasped the fundamentals, we reflect on the model of the ‘heart as a pump’. This then turns the focus to the flood plains of the microvasculature, its glycocalyx and the role of structured water in maintaining the flow of our vast waterways. Having opened some of the mysteries of circulation, the lesson closes by contemplating the energetic significance of the human heart seen through traditional Chinese medicine.

In the clinical presentations lesson, the focus is on the clinical presentation of cardio and cerebrovascular disease, from angina and heart attacks to arrhythmias, heart failure, strokes, thrombosis, and chronic oedema. This helps provide a feel for the terrain of the vascular system, when chronically out of balance, helping to refine diagnostic skills. We conclude by looking at some of the tools of assessment and interventions used by mainstream medicine, their strengths and limitations.