This course is a single-quarter, focused follow-up to the yearlong Mini Med School course sequence offered in 2009–10 by Stanford Continuing Studies and the Stanford Medical School. The course focuses on diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system, the leading cause of death and disability for both men and women as well as the most common cause of serious birth defects. Addressing these challenges, the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute catalyzes a unique collaboration among clinicians, translational and basic scientists, and engineers, fostering the development of novel approaches to diagnosing, treating, and ultimately preventing cardiovascular disease.

Featuring a dozen distinguished faculty from Stanford’s Cardiovascular Institute, this course offers students a dynamic introduction to the world of cardiovascular biology, health and disease, and the groundbreaking changes taking place in medical research right here at Stanford.

The course begins with an overview of how the cardiovascular system works, setting the stage for more in-depth talks by experts on topics such as: how heart disease affects men, women, and children; the role genes play in cardiovascular disease; how we can mend a broken heart through new surgical approaches, technologies, and bioengineering (including stem cells); the cardiovascular risks and benefits associated with performance athletics; new innovations in heart imaging; and more.