Technology
How does a pacemaker work?
A pacemaker works as a small implanted device that sends tiny electrical pulses to keep the heart beating at a steady rhythm. When it senses the heart beating too slowly or irregularly, it delivers a gentle electrical signal to prompt a beat.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how a pacemaker works.
Step by step
- 1It's a small device implanted near the heart.
- 2Thin wires carry signals to the heart muscle.
- 3It monitors the heart's natural rhythm constantly.
- 4If the beat is too slow or irregular, it sends a pulse.
- 5A battery lasts years before needing replacement.
Frequently asked questions
- How does a pacemaker regulate the heartbeat?
- It senses the heart's rhythm and, when it detects a beat that's too slow or skipped, delivers a small electrical pulse to trigger a beat.
- Does a pacemaker run all the time?
- It monitors continuously but usually only fires when needed, stepping in for missed or slow beats rather than replacing every beat.
- How long does a pacemaker last?
- Its battery typically lasts several years to over a decade, after which the unit is replaced in a minor procedure.