What is a pacemaker ?
A pacemaker is a small device that sends electrical impulses to the heart to keep it beating regularly and prevents it from beating too slow.
How does a pacemaker work ?
A pacemaker consists of a pulse generator having a battery and 1 or more wires known as pacing leads, which are inserted in the heart. The pulse generator emits electrical impulses through the wires to the heart. If the pacemaker senses that your heart has missed a beat or is beating too slowly, it sends signals and if it senses that the heart is beating normally by itself, it doesn’t send out any signal.
Why does someone require a pacemaker ?
Those patients who have an abnormally slow heartbeat (bradycardia) or a heart block (where the heart beats irregularly because the electrical signals that control your heartbeat aren’t transmitted properly ) usually require a pacemaker. Also in certain cases of abnormally fast heart beat among other conditions also require a pacemaker insertion