Question

What is a pacemaker? Why is it called a life-saving instrument?

Answer 1

Pacemaker is the device used to treat heartbeat abnormalities. It can be used in the treatment of heart attack, or heart failure. It can provide the normal heart beat rhythm to the person that’s why it is called a life saving instrument.

Complete answer:
A pacemaker is a small device. It is used to control abnormal heart rhythms. It is placed in the chest or abdomen. Arrhythmias is the abnormality associated with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. The heart beat becomes too fast, too slow in this disease. Irregular heartbeats occur in this abnormality. Fast heart beats are called tachycardia while the too slow heartbeat is called bradycardia.
Pacemaker is used to relieve some arrhythmia symptoms such as fatigue and fainting. They act as life saver for the person who has heartbeat abnormalities. Two types of pacemakers are found: temporary and permanent pacemaker. Temporary pacemakers can be used in emergency conditions while the permanent pacemaker is used to control the heart beats for a longer period of time. Heart attack, heart surgery or an overdose of medicine can be treated by using temporary pacemakers.
Pacemakers can also be used to coordinate electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. It also controls ventricle contraction.
It can also monitor and record our heart’s electrical activity and heart rhythm. New pacemakers can also be used to monitor the blood temperature, breathing rate, and other factors.

Note: Cardiac resynchronization therapy devices are called pacemakers. They are used to treat heart failure. They also prevent dangerous arrhythmias caused by a disorder called long QT syndrome. Another device named ICT (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) is similar to the pacemaker. It uses high energy impulse to treat life-threatening arrhythmias.