Describe the relationship between electrical mechanical and pressure events of the cardiac cycle
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The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and two vascular systems. Blood is pumped into the vascular systems by means of the heart. The heart is composed of four chambers, and is divided into a left and right side. Each side contains a ventricle and an atrium. The circulation of blood is affected by the electrical, mechanical and pressure events that occur during the cardiac cycle. Electrical events include the stimulation of the cardiac cells by a wave of depolarisation. Mechanical events include contraction of the atria and ventricles causing the physical movement of blood. Pressure events include the changes in pressure influencing the mechanics of the heart. Each of these events relate and influence the performance of other events in the cardiac cycle
The electrical events of the heart are the first to take place and stimulate contraction of the cardiac cells. The result of the electrical activity is shown by the electrocardiogram (ECG) (figure 1)...