This is an interactive computer model of the cardiovascular system's hemodynamics that was created at the University of South Alabama's Department of Medical Physiology. The simulation allows the user to see how the 5 known control points in the cardiovascular system (blood volume, venous compliance, peripheral resistance, heart rate, and cardiac contractility) act to modulate its behavior. The neural and hormonal control systems that extrinsically regulate the cardiovascular system can only act through one or more of these 5 points. The model iteratively solves the equations that describe the pumping action of the heart and the blood flow through the vascular system. With this model the user can adjust these control points using simple sliders to see the effect each has on the system and how they interact with each other in real time.  Aortic and venous pressure are continuously displayed in real time while cardiac output and ventricular performance are displayed digitally. Because many cardiovascular diseases are caused by failure of one or more of this system's components, effective diagnosis and treatment of these conditions requires an understanding of the effect each of these control points has on the system. Such disease states can be easily simulated with the model.

The model can be downloaded below free of charge as a zip file and will run on any windows based system (Win 98 - Win 10). It includes a detailed user's manual which explains the physical model on which it is based and how the physical system could be simulated by simple simultaneous equations. The manual guides you in exercises that illustrate fundamental properties of the circulation.  In addition the manual provides exercises which shows you how to use the model to simulate a number of cardiovascular disorders and invites you to try various interventions in an attempt to correct them.  You will quickly discover which treatment strategies are most effective and why.

Right click on the button, choose "SAVE TARGET AS" and download to your desktop. Click on the downloaded zip file and then choose "SETUP.EXE". 

Non-English language users: You may have to change the number format on your computer if you are not using an English version of Windows. Formats that use a coma instead of a period to indicate the decimal point will give strange results. You can change this in the Control Panel > Region and Language > Additional Settings > Numbers.

The University of South Alabama Cardiovascular Simulator is offered free as a resource to the educational community. We have made every effort to make the program scientifically accurate and safe to install.  We, however, assume no liability for any unforeseen problems that may arise from running the model on your computer. Please report any problems or comments (positive or negative) to James Downey (jdowney@usouthal.edu)

CV simulator, Jim Downey