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Cardiac Cycle
By Regina Bailey, About.com Guide

See More About:

• heart
• blood vessels
• anatomy

Cardiac Cycle
Cardiac Cycle
Image Courtesy of MedValet

The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events that occurs when the heart beats. There are two
phases of the cardiac cycle. In the diastole phase, the heart ventricles are relaxed and the
heart fills with blood. In the systole phase, the ventricles contract and pump blood to the
arteries. One cardiac cycle is completed when the heart fills with blood and the blood is
pumped out of the heart. The events of the cardiac cycle described below trace the path of the
blood as it enters the heart, is pumped to the lungs, travels back to the heart and is pumped
out to the rest of the body. It is important to note that the events that occur in the first and
second diastole phases actually happen at the same time. The same is also true for the events
of the first and second systole phases.

Cardiac Cycle: 1st Diastole Phase

During the diastole phase, the atria and ventricles are relaxed and the atrioventricular valves
are open. De-oxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cavae flows into the right
atrium. The open atrioventricular valves allow blood to pass through to the ventricles. The SA
node contracts triggering the atria to contract. The right atrium empties its contents into the
right ventricle. The tricuspid valve prevents the blood from flowing back into the right atrium.

Cardiac Cycle: 1st Systole Phase

During the systole phase, the right ventricle receives impulses from the Purkinje fibers and
contracts. The atrioventricular valves close and the semilunar valves open. The de-oxygenated
blood is pumped into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary valve prevents the blood from
flowing back into the right ventricle.

The pulmonary artery carries the blood to the lungs. There the blood picks up oxygen and is
returned to the left atrium of the heart by the pulmonary veins.

Cardiac Cycle: 2nd Diastole Phase

In the next diastole period, the semilunar valves close and the atrioventricular valves open.
Blood from the pulmonary veins fills the left atrium. (Blood from the vena cava is also filling
the right atrium.) The SA node contracts again triggering the atria to contract. The left atrium
empties its contents into the left ventricle. The mitral valve prevents the oxygenated blood
from flowing back into the left atrium.

Cardiac Cycle: 2nd Systole Phase

During the following systole phase, the atrioventricular valves close and the semilunar valves
open. The left ventricle receives impulses from the Purkinje fibers and contracts. Oxygenated
blood is pumped into the aorta. The aortic valve prevents the oxygenated blood from flowing
back into the left ventricle.

The aorta branches out to provide oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. The oxygen
depleted blood is returned to the heart via the vena cavae.