Interference with the conduction system of the heart may be the source of
A) essential hypertension.
B) cardiac arrhythmias.
C) atherosclerosis.
D) all of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Arrhythmias result when there is interference with the conduction system of the heart, resulting in an abnormality of the heartbeat. Symptoms include palpitations, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), skipped heartbeats, slow heart rate (bradycardia), syncope, and fatigue. Arrhythmias can arise from disturbances in the normal conduction system of the heart, including the pacemaker (the SA node), the AV node, the bundle branches, and the Purkinje fibers (see Figure 10-35). Ischemia and drugs cause many arrhythmias. Failure of the SA node may be responsible. Table 10-1 lists the causes of arrhythmias. Heart block occurs when the impulses from the SA node become slow or irregular at or below the AV node.

Interference with the Conduction System of the Heart May Be