What is a pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a small electronic device that keeps the heartbeat in a regular rhythm. The rhythm of your heart is set by your heart’s electrical system. An abnormal heart rhythm — an arrhythmia — affects blood flow through your heart, potentially affecting your general health.

The pacemaker is composed of a generator and leads.

Generator

The generator is a small, lightweight metal case containing a tiny computer and battery. This part of the pacemaker generates the electrical impulse that sets your heart’s rhythm.

Leads

The leads are wires that travel from the pacemaker to the heart to deliver the electrical impulses.

Who needs a pacemaker?

The cardiovascular specialists at the Arizona Heart Rhythm Center determine who needs a pacemaker. You might need one if you have:

• Heart that beats too slow (bradycardia)
• Heart that beats too fast (tachycardia)
• Heart failure
• Heart transplant
• History of heart attack

You might also need a pacemaker if you take medications — beta-blockers — that slow down your heartbeat.

What kinds of pacemakers are there?

The Arizona Heart Rhythm Center provides the newest pacemakers available. These include:

Leadless pacemaker

A leadless pacemaker is the size of a large pill that your cardiovascular specialist attaches to the inner wall of your heart to keep the heart in normal rhythm.

Single-chamber pacemaker

A single-chamber pacemaker uses only one lead that attaches to one chamber in the heart.

Dual-chamber pacemaker

With a dual-chamber pacemaker, you have two leads attached to two chambers in your heart.

Biventricular pacemaker

A biventricular pacemaker has three leads, with two leads attached to the lower chamber and one to the upper chamber.

What happens during the placement of a pacemaker?

Your provider gives you a sedative to keep you relaxed during the placement of your pacemaker. You remain awake during the procedure. Your provider injects a local anesthetic into the skin where they plan to put the pacemaker.

They make a small incision, creating a pocket. Then, using X-ray-guided imaging, your provider inserts the leads into a vein at your collarbone and threads the leads to the proper place in your heart.

Your surgeon connects the leads to the pacemaker, which they place under the skin in your chest or abdomen.

You spend the night at the hospital to monitor and make sure your pacemaker is working as it should. You must have someone drive you home when you’re discharged.

Call the nearest office today or schedule a consultation online to learn more about the pacemakers available at the Arizona Heart Rhythm Center.