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SA Node (pacemaker cells decreasing)

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Crew2Nursing

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7+ Year Member
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In one of my nursing text books it states that the number of pacemaker cells "decrease" in the heart (due to age - older adults) . Its states that the cardiac functions decrease due to calcification due to lipid accumulation and fibrosis. However, I seem to read in the material that the pacemaker cells are decreasing such as "disappearing". Is that what happens as we age?

I have seen physicians perform cardiac ablation procedures.
I also understand that certain drugs can effect the SA node, including certain diseases causing physiological changes.

But what would actually make the pacemaker cells (SA Node) decrease? Or am I not understanding what the book is meaning about decreasing?

Thank you for your time.
-Crew2Nursing