Pacemakers

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Pacemakers

A pacemaker (/ˈpeɪsˌmeɪkər/; from Latin pace, meaning 'peace' and English maker) is a small device that's placed in the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. This device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate.

History

The first wearable pacemaker was invented by Wilson Greatbatch in 1958. The device was initially the size of a book. Over the years, the size of pacemakers has significantly reduced, and their functionality has improved.

Types of Pacemakers

There are three types of pacemakers: Single Chamber, Dual Chamber, and Biventricular.

  • Single Chamber Pacemaker - This type of pacemaker usually carries pulses from the generator to the right ventricle of your heart.
  • Dual Chamber Pacemaker - This type carries pulses from the generator to the right ventricle and the right atrium of your heart.

Function

A pacemaker helps control the heartbeat. When the heart doesn't beat properly, its chambers don't pump enough blood to the body. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or fainting. Severe cases can lead to damage to the organs and death. Thus, a pacemaker can help alleviate these symptoms by controlling the abnormal heart rhythms.

Risks

Like any other surgical procedures, the implantation of a pacemaker also involves some risks. These include infection at the pacemaker site, allergic reaction to the device material, and difficulty in adjusting to the device.

See Also

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