Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for quickly acquiring MR cardiac images in a time equivalent to a single breath-hold. MR data acquisition is partitioned into at least low and high spatial frequency views and segmented within each of the partitions such that multiple segments of MR data are acquired from each phase of the cardiac cycle for the low and high spatial frequency views. Acquisition of MR data in the low spatial frequency views is performed relatively more often than the acquisition of MR data in the high spatial frequency views. MR images are reconstructed using this variable temporal k-space sampling technique to produce volume images of the heart within a single breath-hold. Images can be acquired throughout the cardiac cycle at both diastole and systole that can be used for measuring ventricular volumes and ejection fractions. Single phase volume acquisitions can also be performed to assess myocardial infarction.