CVS Practice Test 2026 - Free CVS Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

How long before the ventricles do the atria contract?

A quarter (1/4) of a second

A sixth (1/6) of a second

The atria contract approximately one-sixth of a second before the ventricles in the cardiac cycle. This timing is crucial for effective heart function because the contraction of the atria allows for the maximum filling of the ventricles with blood before they begin their contraction. This sequence of contraction ensures efficient pumping of blood throughout the body.

The electrical conduction system of the heart, which includes the SA node, AV node, and the bundle branches, orchestrates this timing to optimize the heart's performance. When the atria contract first, they push blood into the ventricles, providing them with an adequate volume to pump out to the lungs and systemic circulation when they contract subsequently.

Understanding this timing is essential for recognizing how the heart functions as a coordinated system, and it plays a significant role in diagnosing and treating various cardiac conditions.

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A third (1/3) of a second

Half (1/2) of a second

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