When your heart’s electrical system malfunctions and causes an abnormal heartbeat, or you have a condition that increases your risk of having a sudden cardiac arrest, you may need a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). At South Mountain Cardiology, Nadeem Husain, MD, FACC, Patti Cox, MSN, ARNP, and Kim Munneke, MSN, FNP-C, have extensive experience implanting ICD and pacemakers and providing state-of-the-art ambulatory monitoring that protects your health. To learn if a pacemaker or ICD might work for you, call the office in Tempe, Arizona, or book an appointment online today.
A pacemaker is an electronic device that continuously monitors your heart’s electrical activity. When your heartbeat slows down, the pacemaker automatically sends an electrical pulse into the heart to bring its rhythm back to normal.
South Mountain Cardiology implants a pacemaker to treat conditions such as:
Congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy often cause an irregular heartbeat.
Like a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or ICD monitors your heart, detects irregular heartbeats, and sends an electrical pulse to restore a normal rhythm. However, ICDs do more. They restart your heart if it stops beating.
ICDs treat arrhythmias that put you at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Your provider at South Mountain Cardiology may implant an ICD if you have:
ICDs most often treat ventricular fibrillation. That type of arrhythmia is the top cause of sudden cardiac death.
The conditions a pacemaker or ICD treats cause symptoms such as:
A slow heartbeat may cause fainting (syncope).
Most pacemakers and ICDs consist of a battery-operated pulse generator and insulated wires (leads). Your provider implants the generator under your skin and runs the leads through a blood vessel to your heart.
Your provider places the leads into one or more of the heart’s chambers. A sensor in the lead picks up the heart’s electrical activity and sends the information to the generator. When necessary, the generator responds with an electrical pulse.
If your provider determines you can’t have an ICD implanted due to your condition, you may be a good candidate for a wearable external defibrillator.
Some pacemakers and ICDs don’t have leads. Instead, there are built-in sensors in the generator. Additionally, your provider can program some devices for remote in-home monitoring.
South Mountain Cardiology offers state-of-the-art ambulatory monitoring. All patients with a pacemaker or ICD can enroll in the pacemaker clinic at South Mountain Cardiology.
If you have a heart condition that needs a pacemaker or ICD, call South Mountain Cardiology or request an appointment online today.
