We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an External Pacemaker?

By J.M. Densing
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 34,719
Share

Developed in the 1950s, the external pacemaker is a device that uses electrical impulses to stimulate the heartbeat of patients with conditions such as an abnormally slow heart rhythm. It is a small device worn on the outside of the body that delivers electric current impulses via a lead taped to the chest. This type of pacemaker is used on a temporary basis until the heart rate returns to normal or a permanent device can be inserted. It can be a lifesaving measure, but it's typically too uncomfortable to be worn on a permanent basis.

The modern external pacemaker was developed in the 1950s by several researchers, and make the concept of using electrical stimulation to regulate heartbeat more practical. The devices were further refined in the 1980s in order to improve their reliability and reduce patient discomfort. The pacemaker consists of a small control unit that generates electrical impulses and leads or wires and pads taped to the patient's chest. The device operates on battery power and can be strapped to the body or carried.

The device operates by delivering an electrical impulse to the patient’s heart muscles. These impulses stimulate the muscles to contract, thereby normalizing the heartbeat. The most common use of external pacemakers is as an emergency measure to restore and regulate abnormal heart rhythms; they are can be used as long as the patient still has some sort of pulse. For example, when a patient has an abnormally slow heartbeat, or bradycardia, a pacemaker can restore the heart to a normal rhythm in a quick and effective manner. One can also be useful if a patient's heartbeat has an irregular rhythm or if it's too rapid.

During use, the external pacemaker takes over the job from the body's own natural pacemaker of telling the heart when to beat. For some patients, the device can be removed after a short time and the heartbeat returns to a normal, healthy rhythm. If the heartbeat reverts to an abnormal rhythm, the patient will need a pacemaker implanted into the body to control the heartbeat on a permanent basis. For patients with certain cardiovascular conditions, an internal pacemaker may be indicated to maintain health.

This type of pacemaker can be a lifesaving device, and it is quick and easy to apply in emergency situations when regulation of an abnormal heart rhythm is urgently needed. The primary disadvantage is discomfort to the patient. Most people are able to feel the electrical impulses the pacemaker delivers along with uncomfortable muscle twitches.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-an-external-pacemaker.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.