The Function of the AV Node: A Key to Heart Health
Introduction The atrioventricular (AV) node is a small structure in the heart that plays a critical role in heart health. It is located in the right atrium, near the coronary sinus. The AV node is responsible for slowing down the electrical signal that originates in the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is the heart’s natural pacemaker. This allows the atria to have time to contract fully before the ventricles contract. The AV node also helps to ensure that the ventricles contract in a coordinated manner. If the AV node is not functioning properly, it can lead to heart arrhythmias, such as bradycardia (slow heart rate) or tachycardia (fast heart rate). The AV node is made up of specialized cardiac muscle cells that have a slower intrinsic heart rate than the SA node. This means that the AV node will only fire an electrical impulse if it receives an impulse from the