Have you ever imagined what keeps your heart beating in perfect rhythm? For most human beings it’s happening naturally, but for a few help is needed, and then the pacemaker comes into the frame. A pacemaker is a tiny device that performs the biggest magic in correcting your heartbeats. Further, let’s dive deeper into this blog to know how does a pacemaker correct an irregular heartbeat.
How does the heart’s electrical system work?
More than muscles, your heart is also an electrical powerhouse. Typically, electrical signals will travel through the heart, directing it to contract and pump blood. Arrhythmias occur only when this electrical signaling goes out of control. Further, the common types of arrhythmias include:
- Tachycardia: When your heart rhythm is too fast
- Bradycardia: Where your heart rhythm will be very slow
- Atrial fibrillation: The heart’s upper chambers will shake instead of contracting.
What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a tiny, battery-operated device placed in the chest to manage your heart rhythm. A pacemaker in the heart is more like having a personal electrician for your heart. Further, the pacemaker is composed of,
- Pulse generator: Houses the battery and electrical circuitry.
- Wires: Gives electrical impulses to the heart.
- Electrodes: Detects the natural heartbeat.
The types of pacemakers include:
- Single-chamber pacemaker: This helps in stimulating one chamber of the heart.
- Dual-chamber pacemaker: This will coordinate the activity between the lower and upper chambers.
- Biventricular pacemaker: They help individuals with severe heart issues by synchronizing their ventricles.
How does a pacemaker work?
- Monitoring heart rate:
Constantly, a pacemaker will monitor your heart rate, exactly like a vigilant security guard.
- Transferring electrical signals:
Whenever an irregularity in the heartbeat is detected, small electrical impulses will be sent to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate. For example, if your heart slows down, the pacemaker will send an electrical signal to regulate your heart rhythm. In case, you feel like your symptoms are getting worse, reach out to the best hospital for cardiology in Coimbatore for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Temporary vs. permanent pacemaker:
In case of emergencies, a temporary pacemaker will be used, while a permanent pacemaker is designed for long-term correction of arrhythmias.
When is a pacemaker needed?
Simply, the symptoms of arrhythmias will determine the need for a pacemaker. The symptoms of arrhythmias include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Commonly, a pacemaker is used in treating conditions such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, and atrial fibrillation.
How does a pacemaker correct an irregular heartbeat?
As we mentioned before, a pacemaker is a device that shares electrical signals to correct issues in heart rhythm. The heart’s natural electrical system manages the heart rhythm, whenever this system is disturbed, it causes arrhythmias. Typically, a pacemaker will monitor the heart’s activity and ensure that it works at a proper rate.
The pacemaker comes with two vital components, the pulse generator, which is the house for the battery and circuits, and the next leads, these wires share electrical signals to the heart. Whenever there is an irregularity in heart rhythm, the pacemaker sends tiny electrical impulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal pace.
A pacemaker potentially treats various types of arrhythmias, like bradycardia, which is the slow heartbeat or blockages in the heart when electrical signals don’t travel correctly. In some cases, pacemakers can also coordinate the beats between the lower and upper chambers of the heart.
A pacemaker is kept under your skin, very close to your collarbone. Simply, the pacemaker works are responding to irregularities arising in the heart, ensuring the heart works efficiently, and safeguarding yourself from serious complications.
How to live with a pacemaker?
- Adjusting to daily activities:
Modern pacemakers can adapt to your activity level and help you live a normal lifestyle.
- Lifestyle modifications:
Stay active but avoid engaging in strenuous activities in the beginning. Further, avoid strong magnetic fields.
- Frequent screening:
Regular checkups ensure the pacemaker is performing optimally.
What are the advantages of a pacemaker?
The actual benefits of a pacemaker include:
- Quality of life: Pacemakers reduce your symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Further, it improves the quality of your life.
- Reduced risk: Pacemakers protect you from issues such as heart failure and stroke.
- Advanced technology: Using advanced features such as remote monitoring will make it more efficient than ever.
Also, some issues will arise when placing a pacemaker like,
- Infection at the site of implantation
- At times, anesthesia can cause allergic reactions
- Lead dislodgement
Just with the proper surgical techniques and follow-ups with the pacemaker cardiologist in Coimbatore, you can potentially minimize the complications.
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, we can say that pacemakers are magical modern medicine, providing a new lease of life to individuals with issues in a heartbeat. They might be tiny, but their impact is huge and helps in maintaining your heart rhythm and balancing your body’s harmony. Simply, the pacemakers are doing their job quietly to make you perform your daily activities like climbing stairs or dancing to your favorite music.