The heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called atria (the right atrium and the left atrium), and the two lower chambers are called ventricles.
Normally, the heartbeat starts in the right atrium in a group of special heart cells called the sinoatrial (or sinus) node. These cells act as a pacemaker for the heart.
The heart's pacemaker sends out an electrical signal (impulse) that spreads throughout the heart along electrical pathways. These pathways transmit the signal from the upper to the lower chambers of the heart, which causes the heart muscle to contract. Regular, rhythmic electrical signals keep the heart pumping blood to the lungs and the body.
Clinical Review Board All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
We use cookies and other tools to analyze usage of our website and to help improve it. Some of these cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Other cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure the performance of our site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the website will not work as a result. For cookies that are not necessary, you can grant your consent(s) to use your data for specific purposes below or by clicking "Agree to all."
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by NYP or third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. As a result, certain portions of your device information and browsing history may be stored and used. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly and your information may not be stored.
Conversion tracking
We will store data about when you see and/or click on an advertisement and it brings you to our website so we can understand the performance of our advertising and marketing campaigns.
Advertising Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by NYP or its advertising partners. They may be used by NYP or NYP’s advertising partners to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads on other sites. They may or may not directly store personal information, and are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, your information will not be shared or used for targeted advertising.
