Cardiac Automaticity: Understanding the Heart's Natural Rhythm

Automaticity is the heart's ability to generate its own electrical impulses without external stimulation – essential for rhythmic contraction and blood pumping.

• SA node (right atrium) is the primary pacemaker, firing regularly.
• Impulses travel through atria → AV node → bundle of His → ventricles, coordinating contraction.
• If SA node fails, backup pacemakers (AV node, bundle of His) can take over to maintain heartbeat.