Summary:
A good understanding of cardiovascular physiology is fundamental to understanding cardiovascular disease, exercise performance and many other aspects of human physiology. The substantially revised, updated fifth edition of this well-respected textbook offers all the information needed by students and medical examination candidates, in a clear, logical and well-illustrated manner, with many useful line diagrams and tables that support the text and provide proof of concepts.
The book provides a comprehensive but accessible account of this complex subject, from the fundamentals of how the cardiovascular system works in both health and disease, through to more difficult menchanisms and pathways. The Learning Objectives, Overview and Summary sections are helpful for checking understanding. The fifth edition has been thoroughly revised and brought fully up to date, while retaining the successful approach and features of the fourth edition of this popular textbook.

* Clear uncluttered writing style
* Highly illustrated with detailed line images
*

Clinical cases encourage active, problem-based learning
* Further Reading sections feature primary research literature, review papers and books
* Companion website


Table of Contents:
1. Overview of the cardiovascular system
2. The cardiac cycle
3. The cardiac myocyte: excitation and contraction
4. Initiation and nervous control of heartbeat
5. Electrocardiography and arrhythmias
6. Control of stroke volume and cardiac output
7. Assessment of cardiac output and peripheral pulse
8. Haemodynamics: flow, pressure and resistance
9. The endothelial cell
10. The microcirculation and solute exchange
11. Circulation of fluid between plasma, interstitium and lymph
12. Vascular smooth muscle: excitation, contraction and relaxation
13. Control of blood vessels I. Intrinsic control
14. Control of blood vessels II. Extrinsic control by nerves and hormones
15. Specialization in individual circulations
16. Cardiovascular receptors, reflexes and central control
17. Co-ordinated cardiovascular responses
18. Cardiovascular responses in pathological situations

About the Author(s):
J Rodney Levick is Professor of Physiology at St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK