Kardiotoimintaa

Kardiotoimintaa refers to the functional activity of the heart. It encompasses the coordinated electrical and mechanical processes that enable the heart to pump blood throughout the body. This continuous cycle is vital for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products.

The electrical system of the heart initiates the cardiac cycle. Specialized cells, primarily in the sinoatrial (SA) node, generate electrical impulses. These impulses spread through the atria, causing them to contract, and then through the atrioventricular (AV) node, delaying the signal slightly before it travels down to the ventricles. This delay ensures the atria have emptied their blood into the ventricles before the ventricles contract.

The mechanical aspect of kardiotoimintaa involves the contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle (myocardium). When the electrical impulse reaches the ventricular muscle, it triggers a wave of contraction, effectively squeezing blood out of the ventricles into the pulmonary artery (to the lungs) and the aorta (to the rest of the body). Following contraction, the ventricles relax (diastole), allowing them to refill with blood in preparation for the next beat.

The rhythmic nature of kardiotoimintaa is known as the heart rate, typically measured in beats per minute. Various factors, including physical activity, stress, and health conditions, can influence heart rate and the overall efficiency of kardiotoimintaa. Assessing kardiotoimintaa is crucial in diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases.