1
Q
What is a cardiac arrhythmia?
A
A cardiac arrhythmia is an abnormality of heart rhythm caused by disturbances in impulse generation or conduction.
2
Q
What normally determines heart rhythm?
A
The sinoatrial (SA) node, which acts as the heart’s natural pacemaker.
3
Q
Why does the SA node normally dominate?
A
It has the fastest rate of spontaneous depolarisation compared with other pacemaker cells.
4
Q
What is cardiac conduction?
A
The orderly spread of electrical impulses through the heart to produce coordinated contraction.
5
Q
Why are arrhythmias clinically important?
A
They can cause syncope, stroke, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.
