Cardiology – The Cardiac Conduction System and Electrocardiograms
This tutorial explains the electrochemical processes that make the heart contract, how the cardiac conduction system initiates and controls the heartbeat, and how electrical activity can be detected on the surface of the body.
It details how heart monitors and electrocardiograms can be used to monitor the heart rate and rhythm, and how to identify a normal rate and rhythm using both devices. This knowledge will enable you to identify when the heart rate and rhythm are abnormal and is essential if you intend to move on to diagnosing cardiac abnormalities through ECGs.
3 CPD hours
3 CNA points
This tutorial explains the electrochemical processes that make the heart contract, how the cardiac conduction system initiates and controls the heartbeat, and how electrical activity can be detected on the surface of the body.It details how heart monitors and electrocardiograms can be used to monitor the heart rate and rhythm, and how to identify a normal rate and rhythm using both devices. This knowledge will enable you to identify when the heart rate and rhythm are abnormal and is essential if you intend to move on to diagnosing cardiac abnormalities through ECGs.
This tutorial is one in a series on cardiology and assumes a thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the heart, which is explained in the first: Cardiology – An Introduction to the Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart.
Robert Wilson BN, Grad Cert CritCare.
Robert has been working in critical care nursing for ten years and is a senior nurse in cardiothoracic intensive care in a major Australian tertiary hospital.
Louise Roberts BA (Law)
Louise is a professional health care writer and editor. Her experience includes being the chief sub-editor of the Nursing Standard, production editor of the Nursing Times, editing and writing for the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications.
- Understand the electrochemical processes that make the heart contract.
- Know how electrical activity is generated in and travels through the heart.
- Be able to describe the structure of the cardiac conduction system.
- Understand why defects in the cardiac conduction system can result in cardiac abnormalities.
- Be able to identify a normal heart rate and rhythm on a cardiac monitor or electrocardiogram.