Heartbeat

Heartbeat is the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart. It often refers to the sensation of the heart's muscular contractions pumping blood through the body, which can be felt through the walls of the arteries.

Physiology of Heartbeat

The heartbeat is controlled by the electrical system of the heart. This system is made up of several parts including the sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, and the Purkinje fibers. The sinoatrial node, often called the natural pacemaker of the heart, initiates an electrical signal that travels through the heart causing it to contract and pump blood.

Heartbeat and Health

The rate and rhythm of the heartbeat can provide important information about a person's health. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. However, a number of factors can influence heart rate including activity level, fitness level, air temperature, body position, emotions and stress level, body size, medications, food and drink, and illness and disease.

Certain irregularities in the heartbeat, known as arrhythmias, can be a sign of serious health problems. These can include conditions such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.

Measuring Heartbeat

The heartbeat can be measured in several ways. The most common method is to take a person's pulse, either at the wrist or the neck. Other methods include using a stethoscope to listen to the heart, or using an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to measure the electrical activity of the heart.

See Also

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular system
• Heart disease
• Heart rate
• Pulse