Anatomy and Physiology I (HLTH 201) Cardiac Cycle Exam Review (ECG, Blood Pressure, CO)
University of Michigan
Anatomy and Physiology I (HLTH 201) | Exam Review

Overview
A HLTH 201 finals review of the cardiac cycle: connect ECG waves to electrical conduction, track pressure/volume changes through systole/diastole, and answer common blood-pressure and cardiac-output exam questions.

Key topics
•conduction pathway (SA node -> AV node -> bundle branches -> Purkinje) and timing
•ECG basics (P, QRS, T) and what each represents
•cardiac cycle phases (isovolumetric contraction/relaxation, ejection, filling)
•valve states and heart sounds (S1/S2) by phase
•blood pressure regulation overview (baroreflex) and determinants of CO (HR x SV)

Suggested study tasks
•label an ECG and match each wave to the event in 10 prompts
•walk through one full pressure/volume loop and state valve status at 8 points
•answer 10 what happens if questions (afterload, preload, HR changes) at a conceptual level
•practice 6 short-answer prompts explaining S1 vs S2
•write a one-page cardiac cycle timeline you can redraw before the final

Common pitfalls
•mixing up depolarization vs contraction timing
•confusing which valves are open in isovolumetric phases
•forgetting that QRS is ventricular depolarization (not repolarization)
•stating BP changes without referencing CO and resistance
•memorizing terms without tracking valve status