This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module will outline the normal anatomy and physiology of the heart before considering the paramedic approach to causes and management of bradycardia in the out-of-hospital setting. There are a number of self-directed activities to complete as you move through the article together with a list of further resources to expand your research. This article requires the reader to have a basic appreciation of normal cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, and an appreciation of the general approach to assessing and managing patients in the out-of-hospital, emergency setting before completion.

Alan Rice - A paramedic and Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Science at St George's University of London and Kingston University