A pacemaker is a small device designed to send electrical signals to regulate the heartbeat. A pacemaker is used if the heart's natural pacemaker is not working properly, or if its electrical pathway is blocked.

A pacemaker has two parts: the leads and a pulse generator. The leads are thin wires that connect the pulse generator to the heart. The pulse generator is a small metal device that contains the battery and electronics to control the heart’s rhythm. There are several different types of pacemakers, including those that have one lead which paces only the right ventricle or the right atrium. Others have two leads, to pace the atrium and ventricle, and others have three leads, pacing the atrium and both ventricles.

During a surgical procedure, the pulse generator is implanted under the patient’s skin and the leads are connected to the heart.

The provider programs the pacemaker with the minimum heart rate required by the patient. When the patient’s heart rate drops below the programmed rate, the pacemaker sends an electrical signal through the leads to the heart muscle. This causes the heart muscle to contract, creating a heartbeat.

Patients see their providers on a regular basis for maintenance of their devices. During these visits a magnet is placed upon the device. This magnet communicates with a small computer called a programmer that is used to review how the patient is doing and to fine-tune the pacemaker.