What Causes the ‘Rhythm’ of the Heart and How Is It Regulated?

The heart beats like a clock because of special cells that start the rhythm. These tiny cells, called pacemaker cells, are like little conductors in your heart that send out electrical signals to make it beat. When they fire off these signals, the muscles in your heart contract and relax, just like the ticking of a clock. The body can also speed up or slow down this rhythm, like when you run or rest.

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Examples

  1. Imagine your heart is a metronome that keeps time for your whole body.
  2. When you’re running, your heartbeat quickens like a clock ticking faster.
  3. Your heart even slows down when you take a deep breath, like a watch taking a break.

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