Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Exercise Test for Evaluation of the Functional Efficacy of the Pig Cardiovascular System
Published on: May 12, 2023
Cardiovascular physiology misconceptions and the potential of cardiovascular physiology teaching to alleviate these
Mohammad Reza Palizvan1, Mohammad Reza Taheri Nejad, Abolfazl Jand
1Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Islamic Republic of Iran. dr.palizvan@arakmu.ac.ir
Background:
Misconceptions are mental models of phenomena that are at variance with accepted scientific models of these phenomena.
Aim:
The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of some misconceptions among students about cardiovascular physiology and to evaluate the effectiveness of cardiovascular physiology teaching in alleviating these misconceptions.
Method:
A descriptive-analytic survey was undertaken with 348 undergraduates from the fields of medicine, nursing, and biology. Students were divided into two groups on the basis of whether they had passed or not taken the cardiovascular physiology course. The students were asked to answer four questions relating to cardiovascular. Descriptive statistic analysis and two-tailed comparison of the proportions was used to analyze their answers.
Results:
The prevalence of misconceptions about the left ventricular output versus the right ventricular output ranged from 80% to 98%. The misconception about pulse velocity compared with blood velocity in the vessels was 74% to 89%. Between 95% and 99% of answers to the effect of increased resistance on blood flow were incorrect in all groups. Between 69% and 73% of the students had trouble answering the question on parallel resistance and the effect of the removal of one limb on total peripheral resistance. For most of the questions, university lectures had no effect on alleviating these misconceptions.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that there is a high prevalence of misconceptions among students about at least four cardiovascular concepts associated with cardiovascular physiology and that teaching has failed to alleviate these misconceptions.
More Related Videos
09:15Creation of Patient-Specific Silicone Cardiac Models with Applications in Pre-surgical Plans and Hands-on Training
Published on: February 10, 2022
04:57Controlled Reversible Visceral Arterial Ischemia, Venous Congestion and Combined Malperfusion via Midline Laparotomy in Rats
Published on: July 5, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
Several factors...
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...