Teaching the principles of hemodynamics.

Knowledge of hemodynamic principles is crucial to an understanding of cardiovascular physiology. This topic can be effectively taught by discussing simple physical principles and basic algebraic equations. A variety of examples from everyday observations can be used to illustrate the physical principles underlying the flow of blood through the circulation, thereby giving the student an experiential feel for the topic in addition to an understanding of theory. Moreover, opportunities abound for showing how each hemodynamic principle can explain one or another functional feature of the cardiovascular system or a cardiovascular pathophysiological state. Thus hemodynamics can be used as an organizational thread to tie together other aspects of cardiovascular physiology.