A device that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate or to stimulate the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles), a pacemaker is a battery-powered device that sends electrical signals to your heart to help it beat at a proper rate or “pace”. It may be used to treat bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, syncope (fainting spells), congestive heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Pacemakers may be permanent (implanted) and temporary (external). When implanted, the pacemaker goes under your skin, beneath your collarbone and is connected to your heart by one or more wires (leads). Your physician will determine the minimum rate (lowest heart rate) to set your pacemaker. When your heart rate drops below the set rate, the pacemaker generates (fires) an impulse that passes through the lead to the heart muscle. This causes the heart muscle to contract, creating a heartbeat.