Normal Sinus Rhythm. A heart rate of 60 to 100bpm.(beat per minute)
AV node=Transmission of SA signal from atrium to ventricles.
SA node is the electrical pacemaker of the heart. Tachycardia :Meaning fast heart rate.Heart rate is fast, may be regular or irregular greater than 100 bpm.
There are many types of tachycardia.
Atrial fibrillation:An irregular often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood circulation.
Atrial Flutters: The heart upper chamber (atria)beats too fast.Symptoms are:
Palpitations.
Shortness of breath.
Dizziness.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)is a rapid heart beat that develops because of the disruption of the normal electrical impulses of the heart . There may be symptoms such as palpitations o r no symptoms at all.
Ventricular tachycardia. :This will occur because of the problem with the electrical impulses of the heart. It may occur due to history of valvular heart disease or complications from a heart attack.
Symptoms include:
Chest pain.
Dizziness.
Fainting.
Shortness of breath.
Treatment is usually to slow the heart rate down.
Bradycardia: Heart rate less than 60bpm.
Fibrillation is the quivering of atrium or the ventricles.
Arrhythmia=Irregular heart beat.
Pericardium = Membrane encasing the heart.
Myocardium is the heart muscle.
Palpitation is when the heart skip a beat or Flutters. Asystole is when there is no systolic contraction.
P waves will occur when electrical charges that originated in the SA node cause the atria depolarize and contraction.
QRS complex will occur when electrical charges result in ventricular depolarization and contraction .
T waves represent the relaxation of the ventricle or ventricular depolarization.
Repolarization of the atria occurs during QRS segments but not as visible as ventricular repolarization. It is the sun total of QRS,P and T waves that represent the Cardiac cycle.
Nursing Responsibilities: Explain the procedure to the patient. Let patient know that the electrodes will be placed on chest and extremities. And that it will be appropriate for the patient to stay still.
That the electrodes picks up impulse from the heart and transcribed it into paper. Keep the patient calm. Explain to patient that there is no shock.
Nurses You Move Me 