Electrical Activity of the Human Body

Electrical activity helps the heart and brain relay messages throughout the human body. Disruptions in the body can cause the electrical charges to fire inappropriately, resulting in serious medical conditions. A procedure called an electroencephalogram (EEG) can measure the impulses in the brain to ensure proper activity.

Brain

• Human brain cells fire electrical impulses to communicate with one another. Ion channels located in the membranes, some with calcium and some with potassium, work in sync to deliver messages throughout the brain.

Heart

• Electrical impulses control the muscles that create the pumping motion in a person's heart. The sinus node is a section in the right upper heart chamber where the impulses are initiated. The electrical signals travel across the heart, causing the muscles to contract and pump blood throughout the body. When the impulses are interrupted, the condition is called bradycardia.

Maintenance

• Electrolytes are minerals stored in the blood that carry electrical charges. If there is an imbalance of electrolytes, disruptions in electrical impulses can occur. Electrolyte balance can be maintained by drinking water, especially during times of heavy sweating. A lack of blood can also produce electrical irregularities in the body.