An arrhythmia is any problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat: the heart beats too fast, too slowly or irregularly. Most arrhythmias come from trouble in the heart's electrical system. When one is serious, the answer may be a device placed in the chest or abdomen.
Two devices
| Pacemaker | Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | sends electrical pulses that prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate | monitors the rhythm and delivers a shock when it senses a dangerous one — defibrillation |
| Helps with | speeding up a slow rhythm, controlling a fast one, and coordinating the heart's chambers | life-threatening arrhythmias, especially those that can cause sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) |
Most new ICDs work as both a pacemaker and a defibrillator, and many record the heart's electrical pattern during an abnormal beat — information that helps the doctor plan further treatment.
Getting one
- Implanting a pacemaker or ICD takes minor surgery.
- You usually stay in the hospital for a day or two while your doctor checks that the device is working properly.
- Most people are back to normal activities within a few days.
Sources
Based on "Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, with its summary from the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
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