Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that is implanted under the skin of the chest or abdomen to help regulate the heartbeat. It is often used to treat a condition called bradycardia, which is a slow or irregular heartbeat that can cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

The pacemaker consists of a pulse generator, which contains a battery and a tiny computer, and one or more wires, called leads, that are placed through a vein into the heart. The pacemaker continuously monitors the heart's rhythm and delivers electrical impulses to the heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm or a pause in the heartbeat. This helps to regulate the heart's rhythm and prevent symptoms.

Modern pacemakers are often equipped with advanced features such as rate-responsive pacing, which adjusts the heart rate in response to physical activity, and remote monitoring, which allows healthcare providers to check the pacemaker's performance and the patient's heart rhythm remotely.

 

Implanting a pacemaker is generally a safe and relatively straightforward procedure, typically done under local anesthesia and sedation. Patients with a pacemaker will need to be monitored regularly by a healthcare provider to ensure the device is working properly and to make any necessary adjustments.