PACEMAKER IMPLANT​

Don’t let a slow heartbeat bring you down! Fear not, for the pacemaker is here to save the day. This nifty little battery-powered device is placed under the skin near your collarbone to keep your heart beating at just the right pace.

You may have heard it called a cardiac pacing device – sounds fancy, right?

But did you know there are different types of pacemakers? Let’s break it down:

• Single chamber pacemaker. This one sends electrical signals to the lower right chamber of your heart.
• Dual chamber pacemaker. This type sends electrical signals to both the upper and lower right heart chambers.
• Biventricular pacemaker. Need a little extra love for your heart? This device, also known as a cardiac resynchronization pacemaker, stimulates both lower heart chambers to help make the muscle stronger.

Why You Need a Pacemaker

So why would someone need a pacemaker, you ask? It’s simple, really – to control or increase your heartbeat and keep it beating regularly. You see, your heart’s electrical system typically controls the beat. Impulses move through the heart chambers, telling it when to beat.

Unfortunately, heart signaling problems can happen if the muscle is damaged or due to genetic changes. But fear not, because a pacemaker can come to the rescue!

You may need one if you have a slow or irregular heartbeat for a long period of time (that means you, chronic heartbeaters!), or if you have heart failure. Just remember, a pacemaker only kicks in when there’s trouble with the heartbeat. It’s like your trusty sidekick, always there to save the day!

Some pacemakers even boost your heartbeat as needed, like a personal cheerleader during exercise. A pacemaker may have two parts:

• Pulse generator. This little metal box controls the rate of electrical signals sent to the heart.
• Leads. Flexible wires are placed in one or more of the heart’s chambers. They send the electrical signals needed to correct an irregular heartbeat. Some modern pacemakers are even leadless!