Module 2: THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

PART 1: Introduction to the Circulatory System

TASK 1 – Before you watch: Before watching the video, match these
questions to the answers.

The right atrium, right ventricle, left

1 What is the heart? A
atrium, and left ventricle

What are the different chambers of It is a muscular organ that pumps

2 B
the heart? blood throughout the body.

Red blood cells, white blood cells,

3 What are blood vessels? C
plasma, and platelets.

What are the different types of blood

4 D Arteries, veins, and capillaries.
vessels?

It is a liquid tissue that carries

5 What is blood? E oxygen, nutrients, and waste
products throughout the body.

What are the different components of They are tubes that transport blood
6 F
blood? throughout the body.

TASK 2 – Before you watch: Now look at the pictures, and match
them to the corresponding names.

blood - blood vessels - blood components - heart - chambers of the heart -

different types of blood vessels
TASK 3: While you watch: Watch the following video. Complete the
text with the correct word(s).

The Heart and Circulatory System - How They Work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWFyxn0qDEU&ab_channel=MayoClinic

Your ________1 is a pump. It's a muscular organ about the size of your fist, and is located
slightly left of center in your ________2. Your heart is divided into the right and left side. The
division protects oxygen rich ________3 from mixing with oxygen poor ________4. Together,
your heart and blood vessels comprise your cardiovascular ________5, which circulates
blood and oxygen around your body. In fact, your heart pumps about five quarts of blood
every minute, and it beats about 100,000 times in one day. That's about 35 million times in a
year. Oxygen poor blood, blue blood, returns to the heart after circulating through your
________6. The right side of the heart, composed of the right atrium and ventricle, collects
and pumps the blood to the ________7 through the pulmonary arteries.The lungs refresh the
blood with a new supply of oxygen, making it turn red. Oxygen rich blood, red blood, then
enters the left side of the heart composed of the left atrium and ventricle, and is pumped
through the aorta to the body to supply tissues with oxygen. Four valves within your heart
keep your blood moving the right way. The tricuspid, mitral, pulmonary and aortic valves
work like gates on a fence.They open only one way and only when pushed on. Each valve
opens and closes once per heartbeat, or about once every second. A beating heart contracts
and relaxes. Contraction is called systole, and relaxing is called diastole. During systole,
your ventricles contract, forcing blood into the ________8 going to your lungs and body,
much like ketchup being forced out of a squeeze bottle.The right ventricle contracts a little bit
before the left ventricle does. Your ventricles then relax during diastole and are filled with
blood coming from the upper chambers, the left and right atria. Then, the cycle starts over
again. Your heart is nourished by blood too. Blood vessels, called coronary ________9,
extend over the surface of your heart and branch into smaller capillaries. Here you can see
just the network of blood vessels that feed your heart with oxygen rich blood. Your heart also
has electrical wiring, which keeps it beating. Electrical impulses begin high in the right
________10 and travel through specialized pathways to the ventricles, delivering the signal to
pump. The conduction system keeps your heart beating in a coordinated and normal rhythm,
which in turn keeps blood circulating.The continuous exchange of oxygen rich blood with
oxygen poor blood is what keeps you alive.
TASK 4: After you watch: After watching the video, answer the
following questions. Choose the correct option A, B, C, or D.

1. What is the heart?

a) A muscular organ
b) A bone
c) A gland
d) A tissue

2. Where is the heart located?

a) Slightly right of center in your chest
b) Slightly left of center in your chest
c) In your stomach
d) In your head

3. How is the heart divided?

a) Into the upper and lower side
b) Into the left and right side
c) Into the front and back side
d) Into the inside and outside side

4. What is the function of the division of the heart?

a) To protect oxygen-rich blood from mixing with oxygen-poor blood
b) To mix oxygen-rich blood with oxygen-poor blood
c) To pump blood to the lungs
d) To pump blood to the body

5. What is the cardiovascular system?

a) The heart and lungs
b) The heart and blood vessels
c) The lungs and blood vessels
d) The heart, lungs, and blood vessels

6. How much blood does the heart pump every minute?

a) About one quart
b) About three quarts
c) About five quarts
d) About seven quarts

7. How many times does the heart beat in one day?

a) About 10,000 times
b) About 50,000 times
c) About 100,000 times
d) About 200,000 times
8. What is the function of the right side of the heart?
a) To collect and pump oxygen-rich blood to the lungs
b) To collect and pump oxygen-poor blood to the lungs
c) To collect and pump oxygen-rich blood to the body
d) To collect and pump oxygen-poor blood to the body

9. What are the four valves within the heart?

a) Tricuspid, mitral, pulmonary, and aortic
b) Upper, lower, left, and right
c) Oxygen-rich, oxygen-poor, red, and blue
d) Systole, diastole, contraction, and relaxation

10. What is the function of the electrical wiring in the heart?

a) To nourish the heart with blood
b) To pump blood to the body
c) To keep the heart beating in a coordinated and normal rhythm
d) To refresh the blood with a new supply of oxygen

TASK 5: Vocabulary Look at the diagram below and label the pictures. Use
the words in the box.

ARTERIAL BLOOD - CAPILLARIES - HEART - LUNGS - OXYGEN POOR BLOOD -

OXYGEN RICH BLOOD - VEIN
 TASK 6: Complete these definitions. Write an organ or a part of the body.

​ a) __________: a strong pump inside your chest. It moves the blood around your body.
​ b) __________: a liquid that carries important things to all parts of your body, like food and
oxygen.
​ c) __________: big tubes that carry the blood from the heart to different places in your body.
​ d) __________: tubes that bring the blood back to the heart after it has delivered what the
body needs.
​ e) __________: the organ in your chest that helps you breathe in fresh air and breathe out
used air.
​ f) __________: tiny tubes that connect arteries and veins to every part of your body. They
help the blood reach everywhere.
Module 2: THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
PART 2: Common Cardiovascular System Diseases

TASK 1: Before you read: Think if the following statements about

cardiovascular disease are TRUE or FALSE. Explain why.

1. Cardiovascular disease affects millions of people around the world.

2. Cardiovascular disease only affects the heart.
3. High Blood Pressure is a common cardiovascular disease.
4. Symptoms of cardiovascular disease include chest discomfort, shortness of breath,
and irregular heartbeat.
5. Not moving or exercising enough cannot cause heart issues.
6. It is not important to check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar
often.

TASK 2: While you read: Read the text and check your answers.

Understanding Cardiovascular Disease: Types, Causes, and

Symptoms

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects millions worldwide, encompassing conditions that

impact the heart and blood vessels. It's vital to be aware of the various types, causes, and
symptoms of CVD. Let's explore this critical health concern in detail.

Common Types of Cardiovascular Disease:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of cardiovascular disease. It is a
widespread heart problem around the world. It happens when fat builds up in the blood
vessels that supply blood to the heart. Over time, these vessels can become narrow, making
it hard for blood and oxygen to reach the heart. This can cause chest pain and, in severe
cases, a heart attack.

High Blood Pressure (also known as Hypertension) is a condition where the force of blood
against the artery walls is too strong. It can strain the heart and blood vessels, leading to
heart disease, stroke, and other issues. High Blood Pressure is often called the "silent killer"
because it may not show noticeable signs, but it can be very harmful.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain suddenly stops. There are two main types of
stroke: ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot blocking a brain blood vessel, and
hemorrhagic stroke, caused by a burst blood vessel. Strokes can cause lasting brain
damage and affect the body's abilities.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease:

Cardiovascular disease can happen because of different factors that affect our heart health.
Eating unhealthy foods with lots of fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar can make us gain too
much weight and have high blood pressure and cholesterol. Not moving or exercising
enough and sitting too much can also cause heart issues and make us gain weight. Smoking
and being around smoke from others can harm our blood vessels and make heart disease
more likely. Feeling stressed for a long time can make us do unhealthy things like eating too
much and smoking. It's important to know about these things and make good choices to
keep our hearts healthy and prevent heart problems.

Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease:

CVD symptoms vary, but common signs include chest discomfort, shortness of breath,
irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, and swelling in the legs, ankles, or
abdomen.

Prevention and Management:

To keep your heart healthy, it is important to make some positive changes in your lifestyle.
Adopt a balanced diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and
healthy fats. Try to eat less processed foods, salt, and sugary drinks. Do physical activity
regularly, like walking, jogging, or swimming, for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
Also, stay away from tobacco to protect your heart and blood vessels. It is a good idea to
find ways to manage stress too. You can try relaxation techniques, meditation, or yoga to
reduce the impact of stress on your heart health. Finally, remember to check your blood
pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar often, and always follow your doctor's advice.
Taking care of your heart is essential for a healthy and happy life!

TASK 3: Vocabulary: Read the following terms and definitions and then
match them with the corresponding number.

TERMS:
1. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
2. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
3. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
4. Stroke
5. Ischemic Stroke
6. Hemorrhagic Stroke
7. Cholesterol
8. Prevention
9. Symptom
10. Lifestyle
11. Physical activity
12. Stress Management
 A. A condition where the force of blood against artery walls is too strong, potentially
leading to heart disease, stroke and other issues. _____
B. The most common type of cardiovascular disease, characterized by fat buildup in
blood vessels supplying the heart, which can lead to chest pain and heart attack.
_____
C. A sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, resulting in damage and various
symptoms. _____
D. A type of stroke caused by a blood clot blocking a brain blood vessel. _____
E. A type of stroke caused by burst blood vessel in the brain. _____
F. A substance in the blood than can contribute to the development of cardiovascular
disease when present in excess. _____
G. Taking steps to prevent a health issue from occurring or worsening. _____
H. An indication of healt condition or disease. _____
I. Techniques and practices aimed at reducing and managing mental and emotional
strain. _____
J. Engaging in physical movements to enhance health and fitness. _____
K. The overall way of living, including habits and behaviors, that can impact health.
_____
L. The term used to describe a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood
vessels. _____

TASK 4: Speaking: Read the following questions carefully and answer them.
Provide complete answers.

1. What does the term “Cardiovascular Disease” (CVD) encompass?

2. What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and what can it lead to?
3. Why is High Blood Pressure often reffered to as the “silent killer”?
4. What are the two main types of strokes, and what causes each type?
5. How can unhealthy eating habits contribute to cardiovascular disease?
6. Why is it important to engage in physical activity regularly?
7. What are some ways to manage stress for better heart health?

TASK 5: Case Studies: In this activity, you will work in pairs or small
groups to provide heart-healthy advice and recommendations to individuals with
cardiovascular disease (CVD). Read the scenarios carefully and use "should/shouldn’t" to
offer practical and helpful advice for each person's situation.

Example:

Maria is a 55-year-old woman with hypertension. She enjoys eating salty snacks and often
feels stressed due to work.

Your advice for Maria:

For better heart health, you should try to eat fewer salty snacks because they can raise your
blood pressure. Instead, you should choose healthier options like fresh fruits and nuts. To
manage stress, you should find ways to relax. Try doing meditation. To control hypertension, you
should do regular physical activity. For example, you can go for short walks.

Scenario 1:
John is a 60-year-old man who recently suffered a heart attack. He used to smoke heavily for
many years.

Your Advice for John:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Scenario 2:
Sarah is a 40-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease. She rarely engages in
physical activity and mostly eats processed foods.

Your Advice for Sarah:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Scenario 3:
Alex is a 35-year-old man with obesity. He wants to improve his heart health but doesn't
know where to start with his diet and exercise routine.

Your Advice for Alex:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Scenario 4:
Sarah is a 60-year-old woman who experiences shortness of breath and fatigue due to heart
failure. She used to be physically active but has become inactive over the years.

Your Advice for Sarah:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Scenario 5:
James is a 55-year-old man who works long hours and often eats out. He is worried about
his heart health and wants advice on healthier habits.

Your Advice for James:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Module 2: THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
PART 3: Doctor-patient Consultation
—————————— Listening 1 ———————————

TASK 1: Before you listen: Study the case notes. Write the questions
that the doctor asked in order to obtain the numbered information.

1) ……………………………………………………………….. 7)
…………………………………………………………. 2)
……………………………………………………………….. 8)
…………………………………………………………. 3)
……………………………………………………………….. 9)
…………………………………………………………. 4)
……………………………………………………………….. 10)
.………………………………………………………. 5)
……………………………………………………………….. 11)
.………………………………………………………. 6)
……………………………………………………………….. 12)
………………………………………………………..

Normally, a nurse or administrative staff member enters patients' personal details in their
records before a doctor sees the patients. However, on later consultations a doctor may
want to check details such as address, date of birth, occupation, marital status, and
occupation. After checking those details, a doctor will ask about the patient’s symptoms.
Analyze questions 1-12 above, and answer the questions below.

1) Which questions are part of the patient’s personal details? ……………………

 2) Which question asks about the…
a) character of the pain/symptom? ……………………
b) duration of the pain/symptom? ………………………
c) main site of the pain/symptom? ……………………
d) time of onset of the pain/symptom? ……………………
e) pain/symptom that brings the patient to the hospital? ……………………
f) radiation of the pain/symptom? …………………….
A doctor might also need to get more details about the pain/symptoms or the patients
themselves. Look at the questions below, and match them to the type of information they
are looking for.

TASK 2: While you listen: Listen to the first part of a doctor-patient

consultation. For each of the questions below, choose the correct answer a-d.

1) What is the patient's reason for visiting the doctor?

a) Stomachache
b) Headache
c) Back pain
d) Toothache
2) How long has the patient been experiencing headaches?
a) 1 year
b) 2 years
c) 3 years
d) None of the above
3) What makes the patient's headache worse?
a) Sleeping in a dark room
b) Moving her head
c) Eating chocolate
d) None of the above
4) What other symptom does the patient have besides headaches?
a) Nausea
b) Fever
 c) Cough
d) None of the above
5) When do the patient's headaches usually start?
a) After her period
b) Before her period
c) During her period
d) None of the above
TASK 3: After you listen: Now read the full dialogue, and complete the
gaps with the correct questions. If necessary, listen again to check your answers.

Doctor: Come in. Have a seat, please.

Patient: Thanks, doctor.
Doctor: Before we begin, let me check a few details. Would that be OK?
Patient: Sure. No problem.
Doctor: What’s your full name?
Patient: It’s Allison Norton.
Doctor: (1) ……………………………………………………………………………?
Patient: Yes, of course. That’s N-O-R-T-O-N.
Doctor: OK, and (2) ………………………………………………….., Ms Norton?
Patient: I’m 44 years old. I was born on April 30, 1979.
Doctor: OK, so your date of birth is April 30, 1979. Excellent. And tell me, Ms Norton, (3)
……………………………………………………………………..?
Patient: I work for a bank. I’ve worked there for nearly 10 years. I’m a cashier.
Doctor: Thank you very much. So, Ms Norton, (4)
…………………………………………………………. ?
Patient: Oh, yes. Of course. I’m here because I've got a terrible headache…
Doctor: I see… (5) …………………………………………………………………………?
Patient: Just here.
Doctor: Oh, so that's your head, and it also radiates to your forehead. OK… (6)
…………………………………………………………………………..?
Patient: Well, it's really bad. And it throbs.
Doctor: Have you had anything like this before?
Patient: Yes, about three months ago I had one. But I've been getting them for the last
two years or so.
Doctor: (7) …………………………………………………………………………. ?
Patient: They usually last one or two days. This one started yesterday morning, and it
hasn’t stopped since then!
Doctor: When do you generally have them? I mean… (8)
………………………………………………..?
Patient: They usually start just before my period. Sometimes if I eat chocolate... I'm not
sure.
Doctor: (9) …………………………………………………………………………. ?
Patient: Well, if I lie down in a dark room, it helps. Light makes them worse. Oh, and if I
move my head, it gets more painful.
Doctor: I see. Thanks, Ms Norton. One more question. Apart from the headaches, (10)
…………………………………………………………………………… ?
 Patient: Yes doctor. I do have another symptom. My eyes feel strange. Sometimes I can't
see clearly, things get blurred. I feel sick and sometimes I feel like vomiting.

TASK 4: Over to you: Reread the doctor-patient consultation again, and

discuss the questions below in pairs.

1) Based on the dialogue, what is a likely diagnosis for the patient's condition?
2) Which symptoms mentioned by the patient support your diagnosis?
3) Is it possible that the patient has a CVD? Why/Why not?
—————————— Listening 2 ———————————

TASK 5: While you listen: Listen to the last part of the doctor-patient
consultation, and identify the doctor’s diagnosis. Check if your diagnosis was right or
wrong.

—————————— Speaking ———————————

TASK 6: Speaking: Your Turn! Work in pairs and get ready to engage
in a role-playing activity.

1) Find a partner to work with for this activity.

2) Decide who will play the doctor and who will play the patient.
3) Based on the provided doctor-patient dialogue and the theme of cardiovascular
disease (CVD), prepare a roleplay consultation. Use the dialogue questions and ideas
from this lesson as a guide.
4) Remember to focus on effective communication, accurate symptom description, and
appropriate medical recommendations related to cardiovascular disease during the
roleplay.
Module 2: THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
——————————— Index ————————————

Speaking Corner: Asking about Symptoms

Audio Scripts
Listening #1
Doctor: Come in. Have a seat, please.
Patient: Thanks, doctor.
Doctor: Before we begin, let me check a few details. Would that be OK?
Patient: Sure. No problem.
Doctor: What’s your full name?
Patient: It’s Allison Norton.
Doctor: Can you spell Norton, please?
Patient: Yes, of course. That’s N-O-R-T-O-N.
Doctor: OK, and how old are you, Ms Norton?
Patient: I’m 44 years old. I was born on April 30, 1979.
Doctor: OK, so your date of birth is April 30, 1979. Excellent. And tell me, Ms
Norton, what do you do for a living?
Patient: I work for a bank. I’ve worked there for nearly 10 years. I’m a cashier.
Doctor: Thank you very much. So, Ms Norton, can you tell me what the problem is?
Patient: Oh, yes. Of course. I’m here because I've got a terrible headache…
Doctor: I see… Where does it hurt, exactly?
Patient: Just here.
Doctor: Oh, so that's your head, and it also radiates to your forehead. OK… Can you
describe the pain?
Patient: Well, it's really bad. And it throbs.
Doctor: Have you had anything like this before?
Patient: Yes, about three months ago I had one. But I've been getting them for the
last two years or so.
Doctor: How long do they last?
Patient: They usually last one or two days. This one started yesterday morning, and
it hasn’t stopped since then!
Doctor: When do you generally have them? I mean… When do they start?
Patient: They usually start just before my period. Sometimes if I eat chocolate... I'm
not sure.
Doctor: Does anything make the pain better or worse?
Patient: Well, if I lie down in a dark room, it helps. Light makes them worse. Oh, and
if I move my head, it gets more painful.
Doctor: I see. Thanks, Ms Norton. One more question. Apart from the headaches,
do you have any other symptoms?
Patient: Yes doctor. I do have another symptom. My eyes feel strange. Sometimes I
can't see clearly, things get blurred. I feel sick and sometimes I feel like vomiting.

Listening #2
Doctor: Thank you for sharing that information, Ms. Norton. Based on your
description, I believe you might be experiencing migraine headaches. Migraines can
cause severe throbbing pain, and they are often accompanied by sensitivity to light,
nausea, and visual disturbances. You have mentioned all of them.
Patient: So doctor, are you saying that I have migraines for sure?
Doctor: Well, I can't give you a definite diagnosis yet, but your description matches
the symptoms associated with menstrual migraines. However, we'll need more tests
to be sure and rule out other possibilities.
Patient: OK, doctor. I understand. What should I do to manage the pain?
Doctor: Certainly. To manage the pain, you should avoid triggers like chocolate.
Also, you can take over-the-counter pain relief pills. If migraines don't stop, I can
give you prescription meds. Finally, you should find a quiet, dark space to rest
during an episode. Let's plan for a follow-up to discuss this further.
Patient: OK. Thank you very much, doctor.