A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device that senses when your heart is beating irregularly or too slowly. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace.
Alternative NamesCardiac pacemaker implantation; Artificial pacemaker; Permanent pacemaker; Internal pacemaker; Cardiac resynchronization therapy; CRT; Biventricular pacemaker
DescriptionNewer pacemakers weigh as little as 1 ounce. A pacemaker usually has 2 parts:
A pacemaker must be implanted under the skin. This procedure usually takes about 1 hour. You will be given a sedative to help you relax. You will be awake during the procedure.
A small incision (cut) is made, usually on the left side of the chest below your collarbone. The pacemaker generator is then placed under the skin at this location.
Using live x-rays to see the area, the doctor puts the leads through the incision, into a vein, and then into the heart. The leads are connected to the generator. The skin is closed with stitches. Most patients go home within 1 day of the procedure.
Two kinds of pacemakers -- transcutaneous and transvenous pacemakers -- are used only in medical emergencies. They are not permanent pacemakers.
Why the Procedure Is PerformedPacemakers may be used for people who have heart problems that cause their heart to beat too slowly. A slow heartbeat is called bradycardia. Two common problems that cause a slow heartbeat are sinus node disease and heart block.
When your heart beats too slowly, your body and brain may not get enough oxygen. Symptoms may be lightheadedness, tiredness, fainting spells, and shortness of breath.
Some, pacemakers can be used to stop a heart rate that is too fast (tachycardia) or that is irregular.
Other types of pacemakers can be used in severe heart failure. These are called biventricular pacemakers. They match up the beating of both sides of the heart.
All of today's biventricular pacemakers can also work as implantable cardio-defibrillators (ICD), which restore a normal heartbeat.
RisksPossible complications of pacemaker surgery are:
A pacemaker can usually sense if the heartbeat is above a certain rate. When it is above that rate, the pacemaker will stop sending signals to the heart. The pacemaker can also sense when the heartbeat slows down too much. It will automatically turn back on and start pacing the heartbeat again.
Before the ProcedureAlways tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs or herbs you bought without a prescription.
The day before your surgery:
On the day of the surgery:
Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
After the ProcedureYou will probably be able to go home after 1 day. You should be able to return to your normal activity level quickly.
Talk with your doctor about how much you can use the arm on the side of your body where the pacemaker was placed. You may be advised not to lift anything heavier than 10 to 15 pounds and to avoid a lot of pushing, pulling, or twisting your arm for 2 to 3 weeks. You may also be told not to raise your arm above your shoulder for 6 weeks
When you leave the hospital, you will be given a card to keep in your wallet. This card lists the details of your pacemaker and has contact information for emergencies. You should always carry this wallet card with you.
OutlookPacemakers are often able to help keep your heart rhythm and heart rate at a level that is safe for you. The pacemaker battery lasts about 6 to 15 years. Your doctor will check the batter regularly and replace it when necessary.
ReferencesEpstein AE, DiMarco JP, Ellenbogen KA, Estes NA 3rd, Freedman RA, Gettes LS, et al. ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 guidelines for device-based therapy of cardiac rhythm abnormalities: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 guideline update for implantation of cardiac pacemakers and antiarrhythmia devices): developed in collaboration with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Circulation. 2008;117(21): e350-408.
Hayes DL, Zipes DP. Cardiac Pacemakers and Cardioverter-Defibrillators. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 34.
A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device that senses when your heart is beating irregularly or too slowly. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace.
Alternative NamesCardiac pacemaker implantation; Artificial pacemaker; Permanent pacemaker; Internal pacemaker; Cardiac resynchronization therapy; CRT; Biventricular pacemaker
DescriptionNewer pacemakers weigh as little as 1 ounce. A pacemaker usually has 2 parts:
A pacemaker must be implanted under the skin. This procedure usually takes about 1 hour. You will be given a sedative to help you relax. You will be awake during the procedure.
A small incision (cut) is made, usually on the left side of the chest below your collarbone. The pacemaker generator is then placed under the skin at this location.
Using live x-rays to see the area, the doctor puts the leads through the incision, into a vein, and then into the heart. The leads are connected to the generator. The skin is closed with stitches. Most patients go home within 1 day of the procedure.
Two kinds of pacemakers -- transcutaneous and transvenous pacemakers -- are used only in medical emergencies. They are not permanent pacemakers.
Why the Procedure Is PerformedPacemakers may be used for people who have heart problems that cause their heart to beat too slowly. A slow heartbeat is called bradycardia. Two common problems that cause a slow heartbeat are sinus node disease and heart block.
When your heart beats too slowly, your body and brain may not get enough oxygen. Symptoms may be lightheadedness, tiredness, fainting spells, and shortness of breath.
Some, pacemakers can be used to stop a heart rate that is too fast (tachycardia) or that is irregular.
Other types of pacemakers can be used in severe heart failure. These are called biventricular pacemakers. They match up the beating of both sides of the heart.
All of today's biventricular pacemakers can also work as implantable cardio-defibrillators (ICD), which restore a normal heartbeat.
RisksPossible complications of pacemaker surgery are:
A pacemaker can usually sense if the heartbeat is above a certain rate. When it is above that rate, the pacemaker will stop sending signals to the heart. The pacemaker can also sense when the heartbeat slows down too much. It will automatically turn back on and start pacing the heartbeat again.
Before the ProcedureAlways tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs or herbs you bought without a prescription.
The day before your surgery:
On the day of the surgery:
Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
After the ProcedureYou will probably be able to go home after 1 day. You should be able to return to your normal activity level quickly.
Talk with your doctor about how much you can use the arm on the side of your body where the pacemaker was placed. You may be advised not to lift anything heavier than 10 to 15 pounds and to avoid a lot of pushing, pulling, or twisting your arm for 2 to 3 weeks. You may also be told not to raise your arm above your shoulder for 6 weeks
When you leave the hospital, you will be given a card to keep in your wallet. This card lists the details of your pacemaker and has contact information for emergencies. You should always carry this wallet card with you.
OutlookPacemakers are often able to help keep your heart rhythm and heart rate at a level that is safe for you. The pacemaker battery lasts about 6 to 15 years. Your doctor will check the batter regularly and replace it when necessary.
ReferencesEpstein AE, DiMarco JP, Ellenbogen KA, Estes NA 3rd, Freedman RA, Gettes LS, et al. ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 guidelines for device-based therapy of cardiac rhythm abnormalities: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 guideline update for implantation of cardiac pacemakers and antiarrhythmia devices): developed in collaboration with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Circulation. 2008;117(21): e350-408.
Hayes DL, Zipes DP. Cardiac Pacemakers and Cardioverter-Defibrillators. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 34.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/08/2010
Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, FACC Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College, and in private practice specializing in cardiovascular disease in Greenwich, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The sinoatrial node is considered the pacemaker of the heart.
The SA node, the natural pacemaker of the heart, is found in the right atrium of the heart.
No, the Sinoatrial Node is known as the natural pacemaker of the heart
The sinoatrial node is known as the pacemaker of the heart.
A pacemaker is a device inserted into the heart to regulate the heart beats or heart rate
A pacemaker delivers an electric stimulus to the heart.
The pacemaker is located on the outside of the right atrium.
The heart's "pacemaker" is the SA (sinoatrial) node.
The property of the normal pacemaker region is able to provide a normal setting for the heart to beat. It allows the heart to beat at a regular rate.
Pacemaker help to normalize the electrical impulses conductance of the heart. usually people with pacemaker has an abnormal impulse originated from their SA node. so, the pacemaker is placed so that the heart can contract at a normal rate and thus prevent arrhythmia.
The sinoatrial, or SA, node is known as the pacemaker of the heart. There are other potential pacemakers if the SA node fails, but it is the main pacemaker.
The contraction of heart (cardiac) muscle in all animals with hearts is initiated by chemical impulses. The rate at which these impulses fire controls the heart rate. The cells that create these rhythmical impulses are called pacemaker cells, and they directly control the heart rate.