The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events that occur in the heart during one complete heartbeat. It includes the contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles, as well as the opening and closing of the valves.
The cardiac cycle can be divided into four phases:
- Atrial systole: The atria contract, forcing blood into the ventricles.
- Isovolumic contraction: The ventricles contract, but the valves between the atria and ventricles remain closed. This causes the pressure in the ventricles to increase.
- Ventricular ejection: The valves between the atria and ventricles open, and the blood is ejected from the ventricles into the arteries.
- Isovolumic relaxation: The ventricles relax, and the valves between the ventricles and the arteries close. This causes the pressure in the ventricles to decrease.
The cardiac cycle is repeated about 72 times per minute in a healthy adult. The duration of each phase of the cardiac cycle varies, but the overall cycle takes about 0.8 seconds.
The cardiac cycle is regulated by the electrical activity of the heart. The heart has a natural pacemaker, called the sinoatrial node (SA node), which generates electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract. The electrical impulses travel through the heart, causing the atria and ventricles to contract in a coordinated manner.
The cardiac cycle is a complex process, but it is essential for the circulation of blood throughout the body. By understanding the cardiac cycle, you can better understand how the heart works and how it can be affected by disease.
Here are some of the important points to remember about the cardiac cycle:
- The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events that occur in the heart during one complete heartbeat.
- The cardiac cycle is divided into four phases: atrial systole, isovolumic contraction, ventricular ejection, and isovolumic relaxation.
- The cardiac cycle is repeated about 72 times per minute in a healthy adult.
- The duration of each phase of the cardiac cycle varies, but the overall cycle takes about 0.8 seconds.
- The cardiac cycle is regulated by the electrical activity of the heart.
- The cardiac cycle is essential for the circulation of blood throughout the body.
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