Intro.
The primary role of the cardiac conduction system is...
coordinating the heartbeat by transmitting electrical signals
What’s the job of the SA node?
To start the heartbeat by sending an electrical impulse.
What do we call it when the heart beats slower than it should?
Bradycardia
What’s the name of the test that records your heart’s electrical activity?
An electrocardiogram (ECG).
What device helps regulate an abnormal heart rhythm?
a pacemaker
Why does the heart need its conduction system?
To make sure blood gets pumped to your body the right way.
Which node delays the electrical signal to allow the ventricles to fill with blood.
atrioventricular (AV) node
What condition causes a super fast heart rate that can make you dizzy or faint?
tachycardia
Which diagnostic tool can directly evaluate the structure and motion of the heart?
Echocardiogram
What medications are used to treat atrial fibrillation?
beta-blockers and blood thinners
The cardiac conduction system starts in this node, often called the "natural pacemaker."
sinoatrial (SA) node
What connects the AV node to the bundle branches?
the bundle of His
Which condition results from abnormal electrical activity in the heart?
Arrhythmias
What’s the name of the test where you wear a monitor for 24–48 hours?
Holter monitoring.
What is the emergency treatment for restarting the heart’s rhythm with an electric shock?
defibrillation
What is the heartbeat called when the conduction system is functioning normally?
sinus rhythm
What sends signals through the ventricles to make them squeeze?
Purkinje fibers
What is a common symptom of atrial fibrillation?
The P wave on an ECG represents:
Atrial depolarization
How can reducing caffeine help heart rhythm problems?
it can prevent episodes of fast or irregular heartbeats.
The cardiac conduction system’s signals travel through these specialized heart structures.
Electrical pathways
What is the correct order of electrical conduction?
SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibers
Which illness is commonly associated with a complete block of electrical impulses?
Heart block
How does an ECG look for a patient with atrial fibrillation?
irregular R waves and no visible P waves
Which surgical treatment involves destroying areas causing abnormal impulses?
Ablation therapy