Electrical System of the HeartIn
the normal heart, electrical impulses pace the rhythm at which the heart
contracts and relaxes. The sinoatrial (SA) node triggers the electrical
impulse, causing the upper chambers (atria) to contract. The signal travels
through the atrioventricular (AV) node to the atrioventricular bundle, which
divides into the Purkinje fibers. The fibers carry the signal and cause the lower
chambers (ventricles) to contract. The electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) tracing
above reflects this normal electrical activity. ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn M. Miller, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology Current as ofApril 3, 2017 Current as of:
April 3, 2017 Author:
Healthwise Staff Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & John M. Miller, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
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