The heart is located in the mediastinum and spans from the first rib to the diaphragm. It lies anterior to the vertebral column, posterior to the sternum, …
The heart valves open and close in response to the pressure gradients created by the contracting heart chambers.
These valves regulate the blood flow by …
The pulmonary and systemic circuits work sequentially to move blood between the heart, lungs, and peripheral tissues.
Pulmonary circulation transports …
The myocardium has its own network of blood vessels, separate from the systemic and pulmonary circuits, called the coronary circulation.
The left and …
Autorhythmicity refers to the innate ability of the heart to initiate electrical signals and trigger muscle contractions.
This intrinsic conduction system …
The electrical signals recorded on an electrocardiogram or ECG occur before the mechanical processes of systole and diastole during the cardiac cycle.
The …
Heart sounds are mainly produced when valve closures cause turbulence in the blood.
These are best heard at chest locations slightly away from the valves …
Cardiac output is the blood volume ejected from the ventricles into the blood vessels each minute. It is calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by …
The stroke volume, which is the volume of blood ejected by a ventricle with each heartbeat, is regulated by three factors: preload, contractility, and …
The brain's cardiovascular center activates the ANS based on inputs received from sensory receptors.
For example, proprioceptors in muscles and joints …
Physical activity is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
For example, the American Heart Association recommends moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, …
Development of the heart starts on the 18th or 19th day post-fertilization from a group of mesodermal cells called the cardiogenic area.
By day 20, these …
A preload challenge (PC) is a clinical maneuver that, first, increases the cardiac filling (i.e., preload) and, second, calculates the change in cardiac …
Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) is a limited, clinician-performed application of echocardiography to add real-time information to patient care. These …
