How does a pacemaker work?

The human heart uses contractions to pump blood through the body and thereby supply all organs. Life without a heart is not possible for us humans and thus the heart is also the organ that forms first in embryonic development. But what if the heart does not work as it should?

Cardiac arrhythmias are a great burden for the body. In modern medicine however, this condition has long ceased to be an obstacle. With the implantation of a pacemaker, those affected can continue to live without impairment. But how does a pacemaker actually work? We will address this topic in the following blog post.

In order to examine the question of how a pacemaker works, first it should be clarified when and for what purpose it is used at all. A pacemaker is used when the self-regulation of the heart rhythm is disturbed. In this case, the heart beats too slowly or irregularly, which can have extremely unpleasant consequences for those affected. Symptoms that can often occur in connection with cardiac arrhythmias are dizziness, palpitations and exhaustion. These occur more frequently in older people. However, there are many reasons for a heartbeat that is too slow. Various diseases such as sick sinus syndrome or taking certain medications can also trigger the irregularities. Early action is important because, in the worst case, there is a risk of cardiac arrest.

In order to understand how a pacemaker works, the first question to be asked is what a pacemaker actually is. When people generally talk about a pacemaker, they mean the whole system, including the pacemaker itself and the electrodes. A pacemaker is a small device, about the size of a matchbox, that is implanted under the skin. The pacemaker is usually inserted on the right or left side of the breastbone. Several wire-like electrodes run from the pacemaker, depending on the type of pacemaker. The wires are then inserted into a larger vein and advanced up to the heart. The pacemaker is powered by a lithium-ion battery (accumulator), the same energy source that we use every day through our smartphones. The battery in a pacemaker therefore also has a limited service life. The charging of the device is checked in regular examinations. If the charge is running low, the battery must be replaced. New approaches are based on the possibility of generating voltage in an electrical coil by means of a rotating magnet. This voltage is triggered by the movement of the patient, which means that the battery of the device regularly charges itself. An intervention to change the battery would thus be omitted.

The implantation is a comparatively small procedure with a large effect. Affected people are given a great deal of quality of life back.

But how does a pacemaker work? Basically formulated, the pacemaker works like a clock, which brings the heartbeat back into a normal rhythm. A cardiac pacemaker has two main tasks in this respect: on the one hand, it documents the heart rhythm and, on the other hand, it provides electrical stimulation if necessary. The main component of the pacemaker is the pulse generator, which is connected to the heart by thin electrodes. The wires measure the heart's electrical impulses and transmit the signal to the pulse generator. This allows it to continuously monitor heart function and deliver impulses as soon as the rhythm slows down. To do this, the device sends electrical impulses into the heart via one or more electrodes. This causes the heart muscle to contract and the heart to beat at the correct rate again. The pacemaker thus imitates the function of the natural clock. The pacemaker adapts to the activities of its wearer. This ensures the right heart rhythm at all times, regardless of whether the wearer is working, doing sports or relaxing. Newer pacemakers are externally programmable and can thus be adapted to external circumstances at any time. With applications for smartphones, important information can be displayed and analyzed easily and in a matter of seconds. The area of ​​UX in medical technology takes care of the intuitive use of these applications so that older people can also interact with the program without any problems. At the same time, the pacemaker sends the data securely to the respective clinic. This ensures individually tailored and therefore particularly high-quality healthcare.

In order to be able to fully answer the question of how a pacemaker works, a distinction must be made between the various systems. Cardiologists distinguish between two types of pacemakers: single- and dual-chamber pacemakers.

Pacemakers are true all-rounders and are constantly being developed further and improved. Guiding these advancements, both in terms of the device itself and associated applications, is the task of medical technology design. By means of interdisciplinary research, new ways and possibilities are constantly being explored, which are intended to improve the quality of life of those affected. Thus, the medical design also gives hope for exciting innovations in the future!

We hope that we have brought you a little closer to the question above “How does a pacemaker work?”. If you have any further questions on the subject or our work, you can of course contact us at any time. We look forward to your inquiry.