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The heart is a muscle with it's own ability to create electrical impulse via the sinoatrial node (SA node) that lies in the right atrium. The impulses generated by the SA node are very regular and constant. However, the SA node can be sped up or slowed down by autonomic nerve impulses that come from the brainstem. The brainstem is told how to change the heart rate by information from the hypothalamus. Thus, although the heart controls its own heartbeat, it can be modified as necessary under the control of the brainstem and hypothalamus.

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15y ago

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