Normal cardiac activities of the heart are regulated intrinsically, i.e., auto regulated by specialised muscles (nodal tissue), hence the heart is called myogenic. A special neural centre in the medulla oblongata can moderate the cardiac function through autonomic nervous system.

Sympathetic nervous system can increase the rate of heartbeat, ventricular contraction and thereby cardiac output.

Parasympathetic neural signals decrease the rate of heartbeat, speed of conduction of action potential and thereby the cardiac output. Adrenal medullary hormones can also increase the cardiac output.