The term for a complete heartbeat from its generation to the beginning of the next beat is what?

• A. Cardiac Cycle
• B. Cardiac Output
• C. Heart Rate
• D. Stroke Volume

Answer: (A)

The cardiac cycle describes one complete heartbeat from its initiation to the start of the next. It includes the electrical activation and all the mechanical events that follow—atrial and ventricular systole and diastole, plus the brief periods of relaxation and filling between beats. This full sequence sets the rhythm and timing of every beat. In contrast, cardiac output is the volume pumped per minute, heart rate is how many beats occur each minute, and stroke volume is the amount pumped per beat. So the term for the complete heartbeat from its generation to the beginning of the next is the cardiac cycle.