THE CARDIAC

CYCLE, HEART
SOUNDS, AND
BLOOD PRESSURE
CARDIAC CYCLE
The cardiac cycle pertains to the sequence
of events that happens when the heart beats.
There are three phases in the cardiac cycle, the
diastole of all the chambers of the heart, the
systole of the atria, and the systole of the
ventricles. One cardiac cycle is completed as
the heart is filled with blood and the blood is
pumped out of the heart.
THE SUMMARY
OF EVENTS
THAT HAPPENS
DURING THE
CARDIAC
CYCLE
DIASTOLE PHASE OF ALL THE
CHAMBERS OF THE HEART
 During the diastole phase, all the heart
chambers are relaxed. The right atrium receives
blood from the vena cava. The left atrium
receives blood from the pulmonary veins. At this
point, the atrioventricular valves are open,
allowing blood to flow freely into the ventricles.
This phase lasts only about 0.4 seconds. At this
point, the semilunar valves are closed preventing
the blood to backflow in the ventricles.
SYSTOLE PHASE OF THE
ATRIA
The sinoatrial node located within the walls
of the right atrium contracts. Its contraction
signals the atria to contract only for about 0.1
second. This brief contraction completely fills
the ventricles with blood. At this point, the
atrioventricular valves are open while the
semilunar valves are closed preventing the
backflow of blood at the ventricles.
SYSTOLE OF THE
VENTRICLES
During the systole phase, the atrioventricular valves close
and the semilunar valves open.
 The left ventricle receives impulses from the
Purkinje fibers and it contracts.
 Contraction of the right ventricle forces blood to the lungs via
the pulmonary artery. Contraction of the left ventricle forces
oxygenated blood to the different parts of the aorta. At this point,
the semilunar valves are open, while the atrioventricular valves are
closed to prevent the backflow of the blood to the atria. The aorta
branches out to provide oxygenated blood to all parts of the body.
HEART
SOUNDS AND
HOW THEY
ARE
PRODUCED
HEART SOUNDS AND HOW THEY
ARE PRODUCED
As the chambers of the heart alternately
contract and relax, distinct heart sounds are
produced. Such heart sounds are detected when
a stethoscope is put against the chest. The
normal heart sound is typically described as
"lub-dub.” The sounds are also called
heartbeat. A stethoscope can detect heart
sounds.
 The first sound "lub" (S1) is usually softer in pitch and longer
in duration. The vibrations of the ventricles when they contract
and the closing of the atrioventricular valves produce it.
 The second sound "dub" (S2) is higher in pitch and
shorter in duration. The vibrations of the closing of the
semilunar valves produce it.
Just by listening to the heart sounds, the
doctor is provided with information
regarding the state or condition of the
heart. If the valves are not completely
closed, turbulence in the blood flow can be
heard; this is the condition called heart
murmur
MECHANISM
S THAT
CONTROL
HEARTBEAT
MECHANISMS THAT CONTROL
HEARTBEAT
Heartbeat and heart sounds are produced by the
contraction of the heart muscles. Such contraction is
initiated by rhythmical chemical impulses. A specialized
region in the heart called pacemaker maintains and sets
the rate at which the heart contracts. The pacemaker of the
heart is a neuromuscular tissue called the sinoatrial (SA)
node located within the walls of the right atrium (recall the
discussions of the cardiac cycle). Structurally, the cells in
the SA node are modified cardiac muscle cells.
 As blood from the vena cava fills the right atrium, the SA
node sends signals to the right and left atria so both will
contract in unison. The signal passes through a relay point
called the atrioventricular (AV) node located in the muscle
walls between the right atrium and right ventricle. In the AV
node, the signal is delayed ensuring that the atria will be the
first to contract before the ventricles will contract. The AV
node branches into two divisions, namely, the Bundle of His
and the Purkinje fibers. These branches spread all over the
ventricles. The signals from these fibers trigger the strong
contraction of the ventricles that force the blood from the right
ventricle into the lungs and the left ventricle to all parts of the
body.
BLOOD
PRESSURE AND
ITS
MEASUREMEN
T
BLOOD PRESSURE AND ITS
MEASUREMENT
Blood pressure (BP) is the force exerted by the
circulating blood upon the walls of the blood vessels.
Blood pressure is obtained using an instrument called
sphygmomanometer.
Blood pressure is always given as two numbers. One
number is written above or below the other number. Both
numbers are important. For example, the given blood
pressure is 120/80. The number above (120) is the
systolic pressure while the number below (80) is the
diastolic pressure.
 At rest, the heart beats from 60-70 times per minute.
Blood pressure is its highest every time the heart beats
(called systolic pressure). In between beats, blood pressure
falls. This is because every in-between beat the heart is at
rest (called diastolic pressure).
Blood pressure is also the force that moves the blood
from the heart’s different blood vessels. The pressure
causes the arteries to rhythmically stretch. Such stretching
of the artery caused by the pressure of the blood is called
pulse. Pulse occurs as the artery bulges during each
heartbeat. In the body, pulse is readily distinguished in the
following parts of the body:
 Radial artery - on the radial side of the
wrist
 Facial artery - at the point of crossing
the mandible
 Carotoid artery - on the side of the
neck
 Temporal artery - at the temple above
and to the outer side of the eye
 Brachial artery - on the inner side of
the biceps
 Femoral artery - on the groin
 Popliteal artery - behind the knee
 Dorsalis pedis artery - at the
anterosuperior aspect of the foot
THE
END