Cardiovascular System I: The Heart

Abstract

In this chapter, we look at the human heart: how it is constructed, how it works as a pump and how this is controlled. We will then look at how we can measure how it is performing, both in mechanical and electrical terms, introducing the widely used technique of Electrocardiography. The cardiac cycle is explained in detail and, in the following chapter, the interaction between the heart and the vasculature will be examined.