(Repost | I accidentally deleted the original one)

Cardiac rhythm refers to the pattern of electrical activity that regulates the heartbeat. It originates in the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium. This electrical impulse spreads through the atria, causing them to contract and push blood into the ventricles. The signal then moves to the atrioventricular (AV) node and, from there, travels through the bundle of His and the Purkinje fibers, resulting in the contraction of the ventricles and the pumping of blood out of the heart.

A healthy, regular cardiac rhythm is called sinus rhythm, typically ranging from 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults. Abnormal rhythms, known as arrhythmias, can be caused by irregularities in the heart’s electrical system. Examples include tachycardia (too fast), bradycardia (too slow), and conditions like atrial fibrillation (irregular rhythm). Understanding and monitoring cardiac rhythm is crucial for assessing heart health and diagnosing potential issues. To learn more about arrhythmias, here’s a video by Alila Medical Media: