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Pacemaker Definition

Your heart contains a natural pacemaker known as the sinoatrial node. According to the American Heart Association, the sinoatrial node helps to create electrical impulses. These impulses are what makes your heart beat. If your natural pacemaker becomes defective, your heart may beat too fast or slow, or beat irregularly. You will then need an artificial pacemaker to help your heart beat regularly.

  1. Definition

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, an artificial pacemaker is a device "about the size of a pocket watch. This small device is placed close to your heart. A pacemaker can be permanent or temporary. In order for a pacemaker to work, it needs batteries to send electrical impulses to your heart. Close to your heart is placed an electrode that surges electrical charges from a wire to your heart.

    Reasons

    • There are various reasons for you to need a pacemaker. You may need a temporary pacemaker after having a heart attack to regulate your heartbeat. If a pacemaker is needed permanently, it may be for the treatment of heart failure or to treat a slow heartbeat, in a condition known as bradycardia. According to Heart Rhythm Society, a pacemaker may be necessary to make sure that your brain and organs are receiving adequate oxygen through the regulated pumping of your heart.

    How it Works

    • An artificial pacemaker works by mimicking your natural one. By correcting faulty signals within your heart, an artificial pacemaker can quicken a slow heartbeat. According to the Mayo Clinic, a pacemaker can even keep up with your body's rate of motion. For example, if you're exercising, your pacemaker will increase your heart rate to help oxygen production within your body.

    Risks

    • Though complications may be rare, they can occur. Complications can include an infection occurring at the site of where your pacemaker was placed. You can also develop bruising or severe swelling. You may also have an allergic reaction to your anesthesia, but this is usually unlikely. Other risks can include a collapsed lung and potential damage to your blood vessels or nerves at the placement of your pacemaker.

    Precautions

    • Since the advancement of technology, it is unlikely that electrical interferences can cause your pacemaker to stop. However, some precautions are still necessary. If you use a cell phone, don't hold the phone close to your pacemaker when it's on. Your pacemaker can misinterpret the cell phone signal as a heartbeat. As a result, the pacemaker can produce symptoms of sudden fatigue.

      When traveling, don't walk slow through a metal-detection system, as your pacemaker may sound off the alarm. If security needs to use a hand-held detector, ask that they not wave the wand for too long near your pacemaker. Carry an ID card just in case, to let security personal that you have a pacemaker.

    Other Precautions

    • If you are having medical procedures that require electromagnetic energy, let your doctor know you have a pacemaker. Some procedures, such as electrocautery (a surgery used to control bleeding), can disrupt your pacemaker's function. Power generating equipment, such as a motor generator or high voltage transformer may also disrupt your pacemaker.

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