Have you ever wondered how a computer starts up and operates? A computer is a multifunctional electronic device that can do many things, from playing videos to storing files. How does that happen? You might think that the CPU or central processing unit is the device that does it all, but that's not entirely true.
A computer starts up and operates because it has a main engine that generates energy, known as a power supply unit or PSU. This device is responsible for the life of a computer. So you can imagine without it, the computer will not be able to operate or turn on at all. Likewise, humans have a main engine that works and plays a major role in keeping them alive, what is that organ? That organ is the heart.
What is the heart and how does it work ?
The heart is the PSU engine for humans, this organ is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body to provide oxygen supply as well as nutrients. An interesting fact about the heart is that it is only the size of a fist, but this organ never rests and has been working to pump blood since humans only reached the age of 4 weeks in the fetus.
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| Source Image: Eka Hospital |
The heart also has its own electrical installation that functions as a generator to produce pulses. This can make the heart beat up to 100,000 times per day and drain up to 7,600 liters of blood per day. You can imagine how special and instrumental this organ is in supporting humans.
But like other organs, the heart can experience a decline in function that causes it to no longer work as well as it used to. A decrease in the quality of the heart can cause several problems, one of which is a decrease in the quality of the generator in charge of delivering the electrical impulses of the heartbeat. This will cause the heart rate to become increasingly irregular, the disorder is referred to as cardiac arrhythmia.
What are the Causes and Risks of Cardiac Arrhythmia ?
Broadly speaking, there are 2 types of arrhythmias that need to be known, namely tachycardia or fast heartbeat where the resting heart rate can exceed 100 per minute, and bradycardia or slow heartbeat where the resting heart rate can be less than 60 per minute. In the case of bradycardia, the disorder can be caused by many factors such as lifestyle and genetics, but age is usually the strongest factor why the heart deteriorates.
Some other factors that can cause arrhythmia are:
- Having a history of heart attack
- Having other heart diseases such as coronary heart disease
- Having high sugar levels or diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Consumption of certain drugs
- Excessive alcohol and cigarette consumption
Heart rhythm disorders are often considered trivial by some people, even though the impact that can be caused from this disease can be fatal, such as stroke, heart failure, and can end in sudden death.
So What to Do When Diagnosed with Arrhythmia ?
With the development of science and technology in medicine, there are now various options that can be done to treat arrhythmia. One method that can be done is the installation of a pacemaker. This pacemaker consists of a generator that is implanted under the skin on the chest wall and leads (wires) that will conduct electricity from the generator to the heart. This will help the patient's heart to beat normally again.
The pacemaker functions as a new battery that can help deliver electricity to the heart so that it can prevent the heartbeat from slowing down. A pacemaker can last 8-15 years depending on its usage. This tool will function as a backup and work automatically. If the heart rate is too slow then this tool will work, while if the heart rate has returned to normal then this tool will not work. Thus, the more often it is used, for example in patients who depend on this device, the generator battery will run out quickly and must be replaced.
Who needs a pacemaker ?
Although bradycardia is generally more common in older people, there are also congenital disorders suffered by younger patients that require them to have a pacemaker fitted. If you find someone whose pulse rate is below 60, then they may need a pacemaker. The use of a pacemaker can also be advised by doctors in patients who have had a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Broadly speaking, there are several types of pacemakers that can be used to treat arrhythmia depending on the symptoms, namely:
- Single Chamber Pacemaker, which is a pacemaker that can carry electrical impulses to the right ventricle or right atrium of the heart.
- Dual Chamber Pacemaker, which is a type of pacemaker that carries electrical impulses to the right ventricle and right atrium of the heart to help control the contraction time between the two chambers.
- Biventricular pacemaker, also called cardiac resynchronization therapy, is for people who have heart failure and heart rate problems. This type of pacemaker stimulates both lower chambers of the heart (right and left ventricles) to make the heart beat more efficiently.
How is the Pacemaker Insertion Process ?
The pacemaker insertion process is done in a special room, the cardiac catheterization room, with the help of a device called fluoroscopy to confirm the location and placement of the generator and leads. This is a minimally invasive procedure and is mostly done under local anesthesia in the right or left chest wall area with a 5-10 cm incision below the collarbone.
A hospital stay will be required overnight after the procedure so that the healthcare team can check and monitor your heart rate and ensure the pacemaker is functioning properly. Strenuous activities such as running and lifting weights may be advised to be avoided during the post-installation recovery period.
Is Pacemaker Safe for the Elderly ?
One of the concerns that people have when it comes to pacemaker insertion is whether it is safe to use in elderly patients. Given their weakened condition and the installation of an electrified device into the body might leave a scary impression. But there is no need to worry, because pacemaking is a safe treatment method for the elderly.
In addition to the minimally invasive installation process, pacemakers are also made of safe and durable materials so they are very suitable to be carried out as a form of treatment for the elderly. Even breakthroughs in medicine that continue to develop have now presented micra, the smallest pacemaker in the world with a size of only 1 vitamin capsule.
Micra is the world's smallest wireless pacemaker designed to give the same effect as a conventional pacemaker but with a much safer surgical technique. Its small size allows Micra to be inserted simply through a catheter tube so there is no need to perform major surgery. The use of Micra also does not require wires or a “pocket” space under the skin so the installation will also not interfere with patient comfort.
That's the information about pacemakers. After the pacemaker installation, the doctor will usually always schedule a regular consultation with the patient, generally every 3-6 months to see the condition and reaction of the body to the pacemaker installation, as well as detect if there is a problem with the pacemaker installation. With the help of a Cardiologist, you can rest assured that you will always be in good hands.
Thank you for reading this article. Have a nice.
