The cardiac cycle describes the sequence of events in one heartbeat. It begins with atrial systole which pushes additional blood into the ventricles. This is followed by ventricular systole where the ventricles contract to pump blood out. Isovolumic contraction occurs as ventricular pressure rises, closing the AV valves before ejection. Ejection then proceeds rapidly initially and more slowly later. Isovolumic relaxation happens as ventricular pressure falls, opening the AV valves before rapid ventricular filling from the atria. The cycle then repeats with atrial systole.