Final answer:
Interference with the heart's conduction system can directly cause cardiac arrhythmias. Conditions like hypertension and atherosclerosis contribute to cardiovascular diseases but do not directly interfere with the conduction system in the same manner that arrhythmias do.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interference with the conduction system of the heart may be the source of cardiac arrhythmias. The conduction system is responsible for regulating the heart's rhythm and timing of contractions. Any disruption in this system can lead to irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias.
Conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and atherosclerosis are closely linked to cardiac diseases, but the direct interference with the conduction system primarily causes arrhythmias. Hypertension can influence the heart by exerting increased pressure, which over time can affect the heart's function and contribute to disease, but it does not directly disrupt the conduction system like an arrhythmia would. Atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, can also lead to cardiovascular diseases by obstructing blood flow, but again, it does not directly interfere with the conduction system. It is important to note that both hypertension and arrhythmias are risk factors for heart disease, and such conditions may exhibit a complex interplay.