Maybe you've seen a
pacemaker that likes to be used in a movie scene. If in the film you see
doctors using this tool to help patients who have cardiac arrest, then how in
the real world?
Is it really the function
of a pacemaker like that?
Or is it only in the
movie scene?
Let's look at an
explanation of how this tool can work and what its functions are.
What is the function of a pacemaker?
A pacemaker or also
called defribrilator is a tool used to treat life-threatening heart rhythm
disorders.
So, this tool will be
attached to the patient's chest to send a shock in the form of electricity to
the heart. The presence of electricity will stimulate the heart muscles to
return to normal work.
Initially, a
defibrillator was only used to prevent sudden death due to ventricular
tachycardia (VT). One type of arrhythmia is characterized by very rapid beating
of the heart chambers, even more than 100 times per minute. Eventually it
causes abnormal heartbeats that occur in a row, at least 3 times.
Well, experts agree that
the use of pacemakers accompanied by resuscitation can increase the chances of
patients surviving.
Even so, because this
action is only done when the patient has experienced VT, the experts state that
this is a secondary preventive measure.
Data at the Harapan Kita
National Heart Center (PJNHK) shows that the number of patients given secondary
prevention measures increased by 30% per year, for 3 consecutive years.
This condition makes
experts do more in-depth research to find ways to prevent heart problems from
occurring.
They believe that a
pacemaker may be used as a primary preventive measure so that patients do not
experience heart rhythm abnormalities or even cardiac arrest.
Get to know the functions of all parts of a pacemaker
A defibrillator pacemaker
has two parts, namely leads and generators. Lead is the part that will be
attached to the patient's chest. The section consists of a runway cable and a
sensor that will record the heart rhythm and provide electricity to the heart.
While the generator is a
small computer that receives data from the sensor and shows whether the
heartbeat is normal or not.
So, the general function
of this tool is to monitor the heart rhythm, determine an abnormal heart
rhythm, and restore a person's heart rate back to normal rhythm by sending an
electrical signal.
The doctor will arrange a
pacemaker for several purposes, such as:
•
Antitachycardia Pacing (ATP). When the heart beats too fast, a
series of small electrical impulses will be sent to the heart muscle to restore
the heart rhythm back to normal.
•
Cardioversion. A low energy shock sent to restore the heart rhythm returns
to normal.
•
Defibrillation. When the heart beats very fast, a high-energy shock is sent
to the heart muscle to restore the rhythm to normal.
•
Bradycardia pacing. When the heart beats too slowly, small electrical
impulses stimulate the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate.
Who needs to be encouraged by this device?
There are some people
with certain conditions who need the help of a defibrillator, including:
- People who experience episodes of cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.
- People who have a heart attack and are at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac arrest.
- People who have a high risk of sudden cardiac arrest suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- People with widespread hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, reduced heart function, and a high risk of cardiac arrest.
- People who have at least one episode of ventricular tachycardia.
Read too :
How Long Can A Person Be Able To Survive With A Pacemaker?
Beware, Frequent Eating Too Night Can Increase Risk of Heart Disease
Study: Over-Exposure Of Pesticides Increases Heart Disease Risk
How Long Can A Person Be Able To Survive With A Pacemaker?
Beware, Frequent Eating Too Night Can Increase Risk of Heart Disease
Study: Over-Exposure Of Pesticides Increases Heart Disease Risk
