hjärtsignaler

Hjärtsignaler refer to the electrical impulses generated by the heart that cause it to contract and pump blood. These signals originate in the sinoatrial (SA) node, often called the heart's natural pacemaker, located in the upper right chamber of the heart. The SA node generates electrical impulses at a regular rate, which then travel through the atria, causing them to contract.

Following contraction of the atria, the electrical signal reaches the atrioventricular (AV) node, situated between the atria and ventricles. The AV node briefly delays the impulse, allowing the atria to fully empty their blood into the ventricles. From the AV node, the signal travels down through the bundle of His and Purkinje fibers, which are specialized conducting tissues that rapidly distribute the impulse throughout the ventricles. This coordinated electrical activity ensures that the ventricles contract efficiently, pumping blood to the rest of the body.

The pattern of these electrical signals can be measured and recorded by an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An ECG provides a visual representation of the heart's electrical activity and is a crucial diagnostic tool for identifying various heart conditions, such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, and conduction abnormalities. Deviations from the normal pattern of hjärtsignaler can indicate underlying problems with the heart's electrical system or its muscle tissue. Understanding these signals is fundamental to assessing cardiac health and function.