Explore the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle
Follow one heartbeat through the four chambers, valves, ECG trace and blood pressure. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle?
Follow one heartbeat through the four chambers, valves, ECG trace and blood pressure. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Doctors read ECGs to spot arrhythmias and heart attacks, and athletes track heart rate to train safely.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
The atria contract first, then the ventricles.
Valves make sure blood only flows one way.
Cardiac output = heart rate × stroke volume.
Compare resting and exercise heart rates.
Watch when each valve opens.
Find the moment of the QRS spike on the ECG.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Biology learners
Biology students and teachers who want to explore living systems, populations and genetics interactively and safely.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Watch when each valve opens. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What are the phases of the cardiac cycle?
Atrial systole, ventricular systole and diastole (relaxation and refilling).
What is cardiac output?
The volume of blood pumped per minute: heart rate multiplied by the stroke volume.
Is the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle free to use?
Yes. The Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Biology group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 2 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle?
1. In the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle, use the controls to change Heart rate, Activity. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle, pick an option such as Resting, Walking, Exercise to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle, press "Pause" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Compare resting and exercise heart rates. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: The atria contract first, then the ventricles.
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Try the Heart Pump & Cardiac Cycle now
Follow one heartbeat through the four chambers, valves, ECG trace and blood pressure. Free to use.
Try it free