Pacemaker
Overview
A pacemaker is a small device implanted in the
chest to regulate the beat of the heart. Pacemakers
may be used to treat a variety of heart problems,
including irregularities of the heart’s rhythm (called
arrhythmias) and weakness of the heart muscle.
The Generator
The main part of the device is called the generator.
It contains a long-lasting battery, which creates the
electrical impulses that stimulate the heart.
Sensors
In addition to just monitoring the heart rate and
rhythm, the generators of some pacemakers also
house more sophisticated monitoring and recording
equipment. These sensors can keep track of the
patient’s breathing rate and blood temperature and
the heart’s electrical activity. This type of pacemaker
can be designed to adjust the rhythm of the heart
based on the patient’s activity level.
The Leads
The leads are the wires that travel from the
generator through a large vein in the chest to the
inside of the heart. A pacemaker may have one,
two, or three leads. The number of leads depends
on the patient’s need.
How It Works
A pacemaker is programmed to maintain a healthy
heart rate. To accomplish this, the leads monitor the
heart's natural heart rate and rhythm. If the heart’s
rhythm drops below a certain rate, the generator will
begin sending out impulses. Once the heart's
natural rate returns to a healthy level, the generator
stops sending out these impulses. The pacemaker
keeps the heart beating with a stable, regular
rhythm.