What is a Pacemaker?
If you have a condition called bradycardia, otherwise known as a slow heartbeat, you and your doctor may decide an implantable heart device called a pacemaker is the right option for you. A pacemaker helps restore the heart's rhythm, by sending tiny electrical signals to the heart to increase the heart rate, which relieves the symptoms of bradycardia.
When people refer to a pacemaker, they are actually discussing a pacing system, which includes the pacemaker and leads.
- A pacemaker is a small device that is implanted under the skin, most often below the collarbone on the left or right side of your chest. The pacemaker continuously monitors your heart, and if it detects a slow heart rate, it sends out small undetectable electrical signals to correct it.
- Leads are thin, soft, insulated wires about the size of spaghetti noodles. The leads carry the electrical impulse from the pacemaker to your heart and relay information about the heart’s natural activity back to your pacemaker.
HOW DOES A PACEMAKER WORK?
A pacemaker is designed to mimic the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinus node. The pacemaker has two main purposes — pacing and sensing.
Pacing
A pacemaker will send an electrical impulse to the heart when the heart’s own rhythm is too slow or is interrupted. This electrical impulse starts a heartbeat.
Sensing
A pacemaker will also “sense” (monitor) the heart’s natural electrical activity. When the pacemaker senses a natural heartbeat, it will not deliver a pacing pulse.
A smartphone connected PACEMAKER
Azure™ — Communicates directly and securely with the MyCareLink Heart™ mobile app on your mobile device. The MyCareLink Heart mobile app allows you to stay connected to your clinic.
Peace of mind
- The status of your transmissions in the app.
- Access information about your pacemaker — including battery life, implant date, pacemaker name, model number, serial number, and clinic.
- Engage in healthy behaviors
- Track your physical activity level with data the app gets from your pacemaker.
- Record your weight, blood pressure, and heart rate — and track these measurements over time to understand your health status.
- Keep a record of your symptoms to share with your doctor at an in-office visit.
- Access answers to frequently asked questions about living with a pacemaker.
Azure features over 13 years of battery life. Azure also offers features to detect and significantly reduce your risk* of developing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with an increased risk of stroke.
Learn more about the benefits of remote monitoring with MyCareLink Heart mobile app.
*Reactive ATP feature is available in Azure XT model
A LEADLESS PACEMAKER OPTION
The Micra™ transcatheter pacing system (TPS) has a battery that lasts as long as a traditional pacemaker. Unlike a standard pacemaker, it is implanted into the heart through a vein in your leg and does not require a lead.
Micra TPS is intended for patients who need a single chamber (also known as a ventricular pacemaker, or VVIR pacemaker. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of Micra TPS.