Pacemaker

The pacemaker constantly monitors your heart rate. If it detects a slow heartbeat, it sends electrical pulses to your heart muscles to stimulate contractions and get your heart beating at a normal rhythm.

Here are the different parts of a traditional pacemaker:

• Pulse generator: This is the main body of the pacemaker, which houses the battery and electronic circuitry.
• Leads (electrodes): These are thin, insulated wires that deliver electrical signals from the pulse generator to your heart muscle.
• Sensors: These monitor your heart's natural electrical activity and send signals to the pulse generator to determine whether pacing is needed.

There are two main types of pacemakers:

• Single-chamber pacemaker: This type of pacemaker has one or two leads placed in an upper or lower chamber of your heart. It's used to treat slow heart rhythms in one chamber of the heart.
• Dual-chamber pacemaker: This type of pacemaker has leads placed in both the upper and lower chambers of your heart. It's used to coordinate the contractions of both chambers, which can improve blood flow throughout your body.

Pacemaker implantation is a minor surgical procedure usually performed under local anesthesia. The doctor makes a small incision in your chest or abdomen, inserts the pacemaker, and connects the leads to your heart. The incision is then closed with stitches.

You'll likely be able to go home the same day or the next day after pacemaker implantation. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your pacemaker and make adjustments to its settings as needed. With proper care, most pacemakers can last for several years before the battery needs to be replaced.