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SA Node And AV Node

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SA Node and AV Node

Electrical pulses in the heart are controlled by special groups of cells called nodes. The SA (sinoatrial) node generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers (atria) to contract. The signal then passes through the AV (atrioventricular) node to the lower heart chambers (ventricles), causing them to contract, or pump.

The SA node is considered the pacemaker of the heart. Its electrical signals normally cause the atria of an adult's heart to contract at a rate of about 60 to 100 times a minute.

Disturbance anywhere along this electrical pathway can cause irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).

Current as of: October 24, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardAll Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

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Our Services

Learn why NewYork-Presbyterian is top ranked in 14 adult medical specialties and 8 pediatric subspecialties.

View all services

Specialties

Cancer Care

Digestive Diseases

Heart

Neurology & Neurosurgery

Organ Transplantation

Orthopedics

Pediatrics

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health

Rehabilitation Medicine

Vascular Medicine

Women’s Health

View all specialties

Featured

Digital Health

Och Spine

Other

International Patients

Clinical Trials

Our Locations

Get access to exceptional clinical services close to where you live, work, and even on your phone.

Find an NYP Location

Hospital Campus Locations

NYP / Columbia University Irving Medical Center

NYP / Weill Cornell Medical Center

Allen Hospital

Brooklyn Methodist Hospital

Hudson Valley Hospital

Lower Manhattan Hospital

Queens

Westchester

Westchester Behavioral Health

View all locations

Doctors' Offices Near You

Medical Group Brooklyn

Medical Group Hudson Valley

Medical Group Queens

Medical Group Westchester

Ambulatory Care Network

Digital Health

Virtual Urgent Care

Video Visits

Patients & Visitors

Find resources to have an exceptional patient or visitor experience.

Tools & Information

Patient & Visitor Information

Medical Records

Paying For Your Care

Virtual Urgent Care

Video Visits

For International Patients

Visitation Guidelines

Virtual Visitation Guidelines

Connect Patient Portal

Other Resources

Health Matters

Health Library

Events & Classes

Clinical Trials

Newsletters

Newsletters for Patients

Advances for Professionals

Medical Professionals

Explore NYP Advances® for the latest research, clinical trials, education initiatives, and more.

Explore Advances

Research & Education

NYP Advances

Continuing Medical Education

Graduate Medical Education

Training Programs

Emergency Medicine Education

Heart Failure Research Institute

Nursing

Pharmacy

Other Resources

Transfer a Patient

Medical Professionals home NewYork-Presbyterian NewYork-Presbyterian Homepage Search Patient Login Find a Doctor

• Services Services View all services

  Specialties

  • Cancer Care
  • Digestive Diseases
  • Heart
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Organ Transplantation
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Women's Health
  • View All Specialties

  Featured

  • Digital Health
  • Och Spine

  Other

  • International Patients
  • Clinical Trials
• Locations Locations Find an NYP Location

  Hospital Campus Locations

  • NYP / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
  • NYP / Weill Cornell Medical Center
  • Allen Hospital
  • Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
  • Hudson Valley Hospital
  • Lower Manhattan Hospital
  • Queens
  • Westchester
  • Westchester Behavioral Health Center
  • View all locations

  Doctors' Offices Near You

  • Medical Group Brooklyn
  • Medical Group Hudson Valley
  • Medical Group Queens
  • Medical Group Westchester
  • Ambulatory Care Network

  Digital Health

  • Virtual Urgent Care
  • Video Visits
• Patients & Visitors Patients & Visitors Patient Login

  Tools & Information

  • Patient & Visitor Information
  • Medical Records
  • Paying For Your Care
  • Virtual Urgent Care
  • Video Visits
  • For International Patients
  • Visitation Guidelines
  • Connect Patient Portal

  Other Resources

  • Health Matters
  • Health Library
  • Events & Classes
  • Clinical Trials

  Newsletters

  • Newsletters for Patients
  • Advances for Professionals
• Medical Professionals Medical Professionals Explore Advances

  Research & Education

  • NYP Advances
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Graduate Medical Education

  Training Programs

  • Emergency Medicine Education
  • Heart Failure Research Institute
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy

  Other Resources

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Medical Professionals home

• About
• Careers
• Give to NYP
• News
• Contact
• Research
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NewYork-Presbyterian Site Search

Search for a doctor, location, condition or treatment…

Frequently Searched

• Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery
• COVID
• Pediatrics

Breadcrumb
• Home
• Health Library
• SA Node And AV Node

Top of the page

SA Node and AV Node

Electrical pulses in the heart are controlled by special groups of cells called nodes. The SA (sinoatrial) node generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers (atria) to contract. The signal then passes through the AV (atrioventricular) node to the lower heart chambers (ventricles), causing them to contract, or pump.

The SA node is considered the pacemaker of the heart. Its electrical signals normally cause the atria of an adult's heart to contract at a rate of about 60 to 100 times a minute.

Disturbance anywhere along this electrical pathway can cause irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).

Current as of: October 24, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardAll Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.