B8968 - FISIOPATOLOGIA CARDIOVASCOLARE E METABOLICA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires scientific and educational knowledge in the field of the physiopathology of motor activities, specifically in the field of internal medicine, metabolic diseases and cardiology. The student will be able to recognize signs and symptoms of some internal pathologies of interest in the sports field. The student will also know the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of specific pathologies

Course contents

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of anatomy, cardiovascular physiology, metabolism, and exercise physiology is recommended.

Cardiovascular and metabolic pathophysiology

· Acute cardiovascular responses and adaptations to training.

· Endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, ischaemia, cardiac remodelling, and heart failure.

· Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, visceral obesity, and chronic inflammation.

· Interactions between glucose and lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk.

Gender cardiology and risk factors

· Sex- and gender-related differences in the pathophysiology and presentation of cardiovascular disease.

· Traditional, emerging, and female-specific risk factors.

· Arterial hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, obesity, and physical inactivity.

· Role of physical activity in cardiovascular and cardiometabolic prevention.

COCIS protocols and exercise safety

· General risk assessment before physical activity.

· Symptoms and warning signs: chest pain, disproportionate dyspnoea, palpitations, dizziness, and syncope.

· Essential elements of the COCIS protocols: cardiovascular demand of sports, temporary suspension, reassessment, and return to activity.

· Role of the physician and limits of the STAMPA professional’s scope of practice.

Only the COCIS sections indicated by the lecturer will be studied. Students will not be required to memorise all specialist medical tables.

Physical activity in major clinical conditions

· Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and obesity: effects of exercise and general adaptation principles.

· Ischaemic heart disease: physical activity in individuals with previous coronary artery disease or revascularisation.

· Stable heart failure: benefits, exercise load adaptation, and symptom monitoring.

· General principles of exercise frequency, intensity, duration, type, progression, and recovery.

· Conditions requiring supervision, exercise interruption, or medical evaluation.

Implantable devices, sudden cardiac death, and monitoring

· Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: main implications for physical activity.

· Causes and prevention of sudden cardiac death; recognition of cardiac arrest and early defibrillation.

· Heart-rate monitors, chest straps, smartwatches, and other wearable devices.

· Accuracy, artefacts, and the difference between exercise monitoring and medical diagnosis.

Teaching activities on resuscitation and automated external defibrillators do not replace a certified BLS-D course.

Cases and journal club Cases will address cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk, ischaemic heart disease, stable heart failure, implantable devices, and alerts from wearable devices. The journal club will include the reading and group discussion of selected scientific articles

 

Readings/Bibliography

· Lecture slides and teaching materials provided by the lecturer.

· Selected sections of the COCIS protocols.

· Guidelines, consensus documents, and scientific articles indicated during the course.

· Materials used for cases and journal club activities.

All required materials will be available on the Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

· Lectures supported by slides and scientific materials.

· Interactive discussion of clinical and practical cases.

· Guided analysis of selected sections of the COCIS protocols.

Journal club activities and group discussion of scientific articles

Assessment methods

The final assessment will consist of a 60-minute written examination, mainly including multiple-choice questions and, where appropriate, a limited number of short open-ended questions.

The examination will assess knowledge of the main pathophysiological mechanisms, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, COCIS principles, and general recommendations for physical activity in individuals with cardiovascular or metabolic diseases. It will also assess the ability to recognise warning signs and apply knowledge to simple practical situations.

Each multiple-choice question will have one correct answer. Open-ended questions, when included, will assess clarity, scientific accuracy, appropriate terminology, and the ability to make connections. When open-ended questions are included, the number of multiple-choice questions will be reduced proportionally.

The final grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale. The examination is passed with a minimum grade of 18/30.

Successful participation in the journal club will result in a 50% reduction in the total number of questions included in the final examination, but will not provide a separate grade. Students who do not complete the activity will take the full examination.

Books, notes, mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and other supporting materials are not permitted during the examination. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence during the examination is prohibited.

Students with specific learning disabilities or disabilities

Students with specific learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students). Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days before the examination date and will be assessed in relation to the course learning outcomes.

Teaching tools

· Lecture slides, summary diagrams, guidelines, and scientific articles.

· Clinical cases and examples of recordings produced by wearable devices.

The Virtuale platform for teaching materials and communications

Generative AI may be used in individual study exclusively to support synthesis, reformulation, and self-assessment. The information generated must be critically verified by comparing it with official teaching materials and scientific sources indicated by the instructors.

Office hours

See the website of Anna Vittoria Mattioli