Pacemaker & ICD - Page 1
Background
What is an arrhythmia?
An arrhythmia is a change in the normal beating rhythm of the heart. There are several different types of arrhythmias, which are categorized by their location and whether they slow down or increase the heart beat. Arrhythmias in the atria are called atrial or supraventricular (meaning above the ventricles). Ventricular arrhythmias begin in the ventricles. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is dangerously slow (less than 60 beats per minute); tachycardia is when the heart rate becomes dangerously fast (more than 100 beats per minute). Fibrillation, the most serious type of arrhythmia, is when the heart beats in a fast but uncontrolled manner, often called “quivering.” Arrhythmias can be caused by many factors including problems with the heart’s natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial, or sinus node) or when another area of the heart interferes with the transmission of the electrical signal.
What is sudden cardiac death (SCD)?
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is brought on by cardiac arrest, when the heart abruptly stops beating. If cardiac arrest is not treated with a defibrillation shock immediately, SCD can occur. Cardiac arrest can be caused by heart disease, but it can also be caused by major trauma, drowning, choking, or it may not have any identifiable cause at all. SCD is not the same as a heart attack, when the heart is severely deprived of oxygen but remains beating. Most cases of SCD occur in people with coronary artery disease (CAD),1 but it can happen to people who have not been diagnosed with CAD. Other cases of SCD may be drug-related or associated with inherited heart problems.
Ventricular fibrillation (when the heart quivers instead of beats) is responsible for an overwhelming number of the 335,000 SCDs each year.2 SCD accounts for one-third of the deaths from heart disease in women,3 but it is 3 to 4 times more common in men than women.2 People who have had a heart attack are 4 to 6 times more likely to suffer SCD than the general population.2
Does having a pacemaker or an ICD prevent me from having a heart attack?
No. Pacemakers and ICDs are used only to maintain a normal heart rhythm, and this has to do with electrical conduction within the heart. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot, and is not affected by the presence of a pacemaker or ICD. These devices offer no protection against blockages in the arteries of the heart. If you have heart disease and also have one of these devices implanted, it’s likely you will continue taking any medications for high blood pressure, angina, or cholesterol that you were taking before the device was implanted. You’ll also probably need to make some lifestyle changes, such as adopting a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly.
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