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The Advantages of a Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small electrical device that is placed into a patient’s abdomen or chest to control and treat abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias. Abnormal heart rhythms can lead to organ damage, a loss of consciousness or death.

  1. Slow Heart Rhythms

    • According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, a pacemaker can speed up a slow heart rhythm or bradycardia. Slow heart rhythms may cause fainting, shortness of breath or fatigue.

    Fast Heart Rhythms

    • Fast heart rhythms or tachycardias can be controlled and brought back to a normal rhythm with a pacemaker.

    Atrial Fibrillation

    • Pacemakers may be used to correct atrial fibrillation that causes a heart ventricle to quiver rather than beat in a normal rhythm.

    Heart Failure

    • Heart failure may be prevented with a pacemaker that coordinates electrical signals between the ventricles of the heart.

    Temporary Pacemakers

    • A temporary pacemaker may be used in a patient to treat emergency heart rhythm conditions and removed after the condition has been corrected (See Reference 1).

    Permanent Pacemakers

    • Long-term heart rhythm abnormalities can be corrected with a permanent pacemaker.

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