What is a characteristic sign of a completed cardiac cycle?

A completed cardiac cycle encompasses all the events that occur during one heartbeat, including both the contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) phases of the heart. The systolic pressure peak refers to the maximum pressure in the arteries during ventricular contraction, which signifies the heart is actively pumping blood. This peak is a hallmark of the systolic phase of the cycle.

Conversely, the diastolic pressure return indicates that the heart has relaxed after contraction, allowing the chambers to fill with blood again. This phase is critical for ensuring that there is an adequate volume of blood available for the next contraction.

Since both the systolic pressure peak and the diastolic pressure return are integral components of the cardiac cycle, they together characterize the completion of one full cycle. Therefore, recognizing both aspects helps in understanding how the heart functions effectively in maintaining blood circulation.