can weak electrical pulses affect the beat of the heart? and what are the consequences of arrhythmia?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the SA node fires causing the atria to contract multiple times, before the electrical pulse can carry to the ventricles and cause them to contract.

Typically a person with atrial fibrillation can live a relatively normal life as the delay is only a momentary lapse before it is corrected.

On the other hand, ventricular fibrillation can have disastrous effects because if the ventricles are unable to fully contract then the blood will be inadequately pumped, amongst other things, leading to potentially life threatening complications

anonymous · Answer

Also note, one type of arrhythmia, sinus arrhythmia occurs naturally often during inspiration when the lungs filled with air apply pressure to the heart usually delaying the rhythm of the heart.

This occurs in healthy hearts and is not a sign of concern, but it is an example of an arrhythmia.

archtangent · Answer

by saying contract, is it safe for me to say that its like... sort of light cramps because of the electric pulse?

anonymous · Answer

@ArchTangent

Well not really. A cramp is more like a muscle spasm, where as the contraction of the heart is a more deliberate function. You could perhaps say that the electrical pulse causes the heart muscle (myocardium) to "flex" in a sense. if the electrical pulse is faulty, the flex will not be the proper intensity.