A pacemaker is a small medical device that is implanted under the skin in the chest or abdomen to help regulate an irregular heartbeat. The device uses electrical impulses to stimulate the heart muscle to contract and maintain a normal heart rhythm.
The pacemaker consists of a battery, a computer circuit, and one or more wires (called leads) that are placed into the heart through a vein. The leads detect the heart's electrical signals and deliver electrical pulses to the heart muscle as needed to keep it beating regularly.
Pacemakers are often used to treat a condition called bradycardia, which is a slow or irregular heartbeat. Bradycardia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath, and in severe cases, it can lead to fainting or even cardiac arrest.
Pacemakers can also be used to treat other heart rhythm problems, such as tachycardia (fast heartbeat), atrial fibrillation, and heart failure