Many people think that pacemakers are not safe, but this is not true. For your information, many famous public figures and professional athletes also have pacemakers. In addition, pacemakers are a boon for people with heart beat problems.
Resting heart rate can vary from person to person depending on their age and health, but according to studies, an ideal resting heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. Therefore, your resting pulse rate should be low. An irregular heart rate, too fast or too slow, can lead to complications.
When your heartbeat is irregular, the condition is known as arrhythmia. This condition occurs when the electrical signals that coordinate our heartbeat do not work properly. In such a situation, you may need a pacemaker.
Today, through this blog, we will try to understand more about pacemaker.
What is a Pacemaker?
In the last two decades, there has been a lot of progress in the field of medical technology, as a result of which even the most serious diseases can be detected quickly, and their treatment is also possible.
Today, the medical field has many treatment options to control irregular / slow heartbeat effectively, and one of those options is a pacemaker. Pacemakers are advanced technology used to treat conditions that cause arrhythmias and slow heartbeats. Pacemakers can improve your quality of life and extend life safely.
How does Pacemaker work?
Simply put, a pacemaker is a small device implanted in the chest area below the collarbone to control the heartbeat.
Pacemaker Implantation Procedure: First, the small leads of the pacemaker are implanted into the heart, where their tips are attached to the heart muscle. In contrast, the other end is attached to the pacemaker unit. When the pacemaker device senses some abnormality, it sends electrical signals through the electrodes to your heart which results in a proper rhythm. The pacemaker functions when needed. For example, you can use it during cardiac arrest ( ventricular arrhythmia), bradycardia, etc. There are several types of pacemaker devices, depending on your condition.
- Single chamber pacemaker
It helps in carrying electrical impulses to the right ventricle of the heart.
- Dual chamber pacemaker
This pacemaker helps conduct electrical impulses to the heart’s right atrium and right ventricle.
- Biventricular pacemaker
This pacemaker can be the best for a person with heart failure issues, as it helps stimulate both the heart’s lower chambers..
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
This is a special type of pacemaker, where the pacemaker recognises fast and abnormal heart beat (ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) and then sends ATP signals to terminate it or passes a shock to terminate this abnormal rhythm. This type of abnormal rhythm is responsible for cardiac arrest.
Used in patients with Severe LV dysfunction EF <30%, patients recovered from cardiac arrest, etc.
- Cardiac resynchronisation therapy ( CRT)
This is a special type of pacemaker used in patients with recurrent heart failure admissions. It helps in improving cardiac pump function and thus reducing heart failure episodes.
What are the signs you need a Pacemaker?
By the way, only a cardiologist can identify the conditions of the heart. However, below are some indications of when pacemaker treatment is needed:
- dizziness regularly
- Fainting or syncope
- feeling lightheaded
- pulse rate below 40
- Persistent irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue
- chest tightness or shortness of breath
You need to consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. They can give you better advice based on your cardiac assessment.