Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 269, Issue 6 4-31, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society
An educational tool for understanding the cardiovascular changes associated with diabetes
H. L. Collins and S. E. DiCarlo
Department of Physiology, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown 44272, USA.
Diabetes, a syndrome characterized by high plasma glucose and low plasma
insulin concentrations, is associated with somatic and autonomic
neuropadiabetes as well as cardiac and vascular disorders. These
consequences of diabetes significantly affect the organism's ability to
maintain homeostasis. To understand the changes associated with diabetes,
we developed a laboratory exercise that compares and contrasts the
cardiovascular responses to exercise in an individual with diabetes and in
an individual without diabetes. This exercise provides a unique opportunity
to analyze, integrate, and interpret the changes associated with diabetes,
since more is learned about how a system operated when the system is forced
to perform than when it is idle. In this laboratory, anatomical and
physiological data concerning diabetes are provided. Subsequently, a figure
that illustrates the response of a specific cardiovascular variable during
exercise (e.g., heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure) is presented.
Students are challenged to analyze and assimilate information from figures,
answer questions, make calculations, fill in tables, and plot graphs. The
laboratory does not require equipment or software, only rulers and pencils.
The answers to the questions and tables are provided in the APPENDIX.
Students obtain experience in evaluating and understanding diabetes as well
as applying basic cardiovascular concepts. The emphasis is on the
application of basic cardiovascular principles, interpretation of pictorial
or tabular material, and problem-solving skills.
