Normal Heart Blood Flow

The normal heart blood flow happens as a result of a coordinated and synchronized sequence of events that take place inside the heart.

The right side and the left side of the heart work at the same time. Both atria contract emptying blood. The right empties deoxygenated blood while the left atrium empties oxygenated blood. When the atria relaxes the ventricles contract to do the same thing.



Sequence of events
1. Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium via the superior and inferior vena cavae.

2. The right atrium contracts and pushes the blood through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.

3. The right ventricle contracts pushing the blood through the pulmonic valve into the pulmonary vein to the lungs where it exchanges waste products for oxygen.

4. The oxygen rich blood is then pumped to the left atrium via the pulmonary vein.

5. When the left atrium contracts, it pushes the blood into the left ventricle through the mitral valve.

6. The left ventricle contracts sending the oxygen rich blood through the aortic valve into the aorta. From the aorta, the blood goes to all parts of the body, delivering oxygen and other nutrients, picks up waste products, and then returns to the heart via the superior and inferior vena cavae. The cycle starts all over again.

Normal blood flow of the heart