What is a Pacemaker?
The heart has its own internal electric system. This system controls the heart’s rhythm heartbeat’s speed. In a heartbeat, an electrical signal travels from the top of the heart to the bottom. As it goes through the heart, this electrical signal causes contraction of the heart which in turn pumps blood in a very organized manner.
The sinus node is a group of cells where electrical signals usually begin. These signals spread through the heart which coordinates the heart cells’ activity. It starts with the two upper chambers called atria. With this contraction, blood is squeezed into the heart’s lower chambers. These lower chambers are usually called ventricles. The ventricles contract for the blood to be sent to the rest of the body. This combined contraction of the atria and the ventricles is popularly known as the heartbeat.
In situations where in the heart’s beating is slow or irregular, temporary or permanent medical devices are used. They are to provide the heart an improved synchronization of the atria and ventricles. These medical devices are called pacemaker.
A pacemaker’s purpose is to maintain an adequate if not regular heart rate to a patient. Pacemakers are small devices placed under the skin of the chest or abdomen. These helps an abnormal heart rhythm becomes more active. It can also relieve symptoms related to arrhythmias caused by tiredness and fainting. This device utilizes low-energy electrical pulses to correct faulty electrical signaling of the heart’s chambers. With a pacemaker, a troubled heart can once more have a well coordinated beat.
