What are pacemakers?

Pacemakers are devices that can be placed in your body, usually by surgery, to support the electrical system in your heart. They can stabilize abnormal heart rhythms and prevent problems that can disrupt or endanger your life.

What are the pacemaker types?

Modern pacemakers have two parts:

• the pulse generator, which contains the pacemaker’s battery and the electronics that generate electrical signals

• one or more leads, which are thin wires that deliver electrical signals from the pulse generator to your heart

The leads contain the pacemaker’s electrodes. The electrodes, which often rest inside your heart and sense your heartbeat, deliver electrical signals if your heart is beating too quickly or too slowly.

Pacemakers typically have one or two leads. A single-lead pacemaker sends electrical signals to either the right atrium or right ventricle of your heart. A dual-chamber pacemaker sends electrical signals to both the right atrium and right ventricle of your heart.

Leadless/Wireless pacemaker is the pulse generator and electrodes are combined into a single device that’s about the size of a pill or capsule. This type of pacemaker is typically positioned into the right ventricle.