February 13: American Heart Month

It’s our goal here at Anatomy In Clay® Learning System, to teach students about heart disease in hopes that it will lead to its prevention.

One Fact,

One Disease,

One Community Activity,

One Form of Prevention, and

One Lesson Plan.

Once a day, every day of February.

"The Mind Cannot Forget What The Hands Have Learned.™"

February 13:

Fact: Stress and poor mental health can also contribute to heart disease.

Disease: Mitral valve prolapse

Community Activity: Creating a heart disease awareness campaign with posters, banners, and promotional materials displayed in public spaces.

Form of Prevention: Manage stress through relaxation techniques, mindfulness, yoga, or meditation.

The Human Heart, An Anatomy OnDemand™ Course is on sale for the month of February! Register by February 28, 2025 to receive Lifetime Access for the cost of 90-Day Access.

Lesson Plan: Understanding Mitral Valve Prolapse

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the anatomy and function of the mitral valve.

• Identify the causes, symptoms, and potential complications of mitral valve prolapse.

• Recognize the importance of early detection and treatment of mitral valve prolapse.

• Demonstrate the ability to listen to and interpret heart sounds.

Materials Needed:

• Stethoscopes

• Audio recordings of normal and abnormal heart sounds

• Anatomical heart models

• Informational posters or diagrams of the heart

• Patient case studies of individuals with mitral valve prolapse

Instructional Strategies:

Introduction (10 minutes):

• Begin with a brief overview of the heart's structure and function.

• Introduce mitral valve prolapse and its significance.

• Explain the causes, symptoms, and potential complications associated with mitral valve prolapse.

Guided Practice (20 minutes):

• Demonstrate how to use a stethoscope to listen to heart sounds.

• Play audio recordings of normal and abnormal heart sounds for students to differentiate between them.

• Use anatomical heart models or diagrams to show the location of the mitral valve and explain its role in heart function.

Independent Practice (30 minutes):

• Divide students into small groups and provide them with patient case studies of individuals with mitral valve prolapse.

• Ask students to discuss the symptoms presented in the case studies and suggest appropriate treatment options.

• Have students practice listening to heart sounds using stethoscopes to identify potential abnormalities.

Assessment Methods:

• Observation of student engagement and participation in group discussions.

• Listening to individual students demonstrate the ability to identify normal and abnormal heart sounds.

• Reviewing group responses to patient case studies to assess their understanding of mitral valve prolapse symptoms and treatment.

Conclusion (10 minutes):

• Recap key points about mitral valve prolapse and its significance.

• Encourage students to continue exploring the topic and raise awareness about heart health.

• Allow time for students to ask questions and provide additional resources for further learning.

By incorporating hands-on activities such as using stethoscopes, examining heart models, and discussing patient case studies, this lesson plan aims to actively engage students in learning about mitral valve prolapse, promoting a deeper understanding of the condition and its implications.