The Cardiac Cycle

The amazing heart undergoes a complex sequence of organized events, just about every second of every day, known as “the cardiac cycle.” The contraction of the upper chambers, known as the atria, precede that of the pumping chambers, known as the ventricles.
 
When a chamber fills with blood, we refer to that as diastole. When the chamber ejects blood, we refer to it as systole. This orchestrated series of events occurs synchronously due to microscopic electrical channels, known as “the conduction system” of the heart.
 
All of this combines into maintaining our blood pressure, which changes with exercise, and can be monitored on ECG and pressure tracings, as shown in the video below.
 
Even with modern scientific advances, such as the implantable ventricular assist devices, no technology has yet to be developed that is as magnificent as the original design and function of our hearts!
 

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About The Author

Dr. Raymond Singer

Dr. Singer has been in practice since 1992 and has, to date, performed over 8000 surgeries. His practice interests include complex valve, coronary and aneurysm surgery, as well as prevention and treatment of lung cancer.


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