Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small device placed under the skin, usually near the shoulder, to help keep your heart beating at a healthy rhythm. It sends gentle electrical signals to the heart when it’s beating too slowly or irregularly.

A dual-chamber pacemaker has two wires (called leads)—one placed in the upper chamber (atrium) and one in the lower chamber (ventricle)—to help the heart beat in a natural, coordinated way.

Pacemakers are commonly used to treat:

• Bradycardia (a slow heart rate)
  
  

• Heart block (a delay or block in the heart’s electrical signals)
  
  

• Tachy-brady syndrome (alternating fast and slow rhythms)
  
  

The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, and most patients go home within a day.

Consult your cardiologist to see if a pacemaker is right for your condition.