How do pacemakers work?

A is a device used to treat heart diseases where the heart beats too slowly. Pacemakers work like a metronome to keep the heart beating in a normal rhythm. The device sends electrical signals to the heart via one or more electrodes. Each time it receives a signal, the heart muscle contracts, allowing the heart to start beating in its normal rhythm again.

When might a pacemaker be needed?

A healthy heart beats fast enough to deliver a constant supply of blood to the body.

Some heart diseases mean that the heart beats too slowly. That is called a brachycardia heart rhythm disorder. Examples of this include AV block or sick sinus syndrome (a damaged sinus node).

What is temporary cardiac pacing?

Sometimes pacemakers are only needed for a short period of time, like if the heart beats too slowly during an operation or in an emergency. An external device is then used. Like with a , the electrodes are inserted into a larger vein in the neck, arm or groin and pushed through to the heart.

But external pacemakers can also send signals to the heart along other paths:

  • Via the chest wall: The signals are sent to the heart from outside through the chest wall. The electrodes are stuck or pressed onto the skin.
  • Via the food pipe: An electrode is inserted into the food pipe until it is behind the heart.
  • Via the epicardium (outer skin of the heart): The electrodes can be placed directly on the heart during surgery.

These methods are quite involved, but are not painful because a general anesthetic is used.

What happens during long-term pacemaker therapy?

If the heart needs constant support from a , a minor procedure is used to implant the device into the body. The disc-shaped is about 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) in diameter and it is inserted beneath the skin below the collar bone and then sewn into place. It is sometimes implanted beneath the chest muscle instead. This can be done if there more space is needed, which may be necessary in younger children, for instance. One or more wires (leads) extend from the device to the electrodes, depending on the type of . The leads are typically fed into a larger vein and then pushed through to the heart.

The uses batteries as a power source for transmitting the electrical signals. The batteries last for about 10 to 14 years, and then the has to be replaced.

Modern pacemakers offer other functions besides sending electrical signals. For instance, they can monitor whether the wearer is exercising or being physically active. The increases the speed of the signals because the heart then needs to beat faster. It can also record and save the heart’s activity as an ECG curve. The data can be analyzed during a check. Some devices can also send the data to your doctor on a daily basis.

Illustration: Pacemaker with electrodes in the right side of the heart - as described in the information

Which different types of pacemaker are there?

  • Single-chamber : The electrical impulses are sent to the heart via one electrode. It ends either in the right atrium or at the tip of the right ventricle. Single-chamber pacemakers are suitable if the heart’s sinus node is diseased and can no longer generate any impulses.
  • Dual-chamber : In these devices, two electrodes send impulses to the heart, one stimulating the right atrium, the other the right ventricle. These devices are typically used to treat AV block.
  • Triple-chamber : These more rarely used pacemakers have an additional third electrode which feeds into the left ventricle via a coronary vein. They can be an option if the heart muscle is severely weakened. The device tries to ensure that the ventricles contract as harmoniously as possible again. Experts call that cardiac resynchronization therapy.

What are the risks of pacemaker therapy?

Complications during the implantation and use of a are rare. The following complications are possible:

  • Infections
  • Wound healing problems
  • Bleeding if blood vessels or heart tissue are damaged
  • Damage to the lungs
  • Slipped or damaged electrodes
  • Device malfunctions

Some types of pacemakers can cause what is known as syndrome. That is where the atria and ventricles are not perfectly in sync with one another, and it may cause problems such as a pounding heart (palpitations) or dizziness.

What do I need to know?

It is usually possible to live a relatively normal daily life with a . But there are certain things you should know:

  • Make a note of your next check-up appointment and be sure to go in.
  • Always have your ID card with you so that in an emergency situation paramedics know right away that you have a .
  • Some medical devices can interfere with pacemakers. For instance, MRI scans can pose a risk for some pacemakers, but not for others. Your doctor will advise you about which examinations and treatments are possible.
  • Read the instruction manual before buying larger household appliances and check if there are any special warnings. You might need to keep a distance of about 25 cm (about 9 inches) from induction stoves, for example. But that shouldn’t interfere with cooking.
  • Talking or listening to music on your cell phone won’t affect the functioning of a . But do not press pones or headphone directly against the body where the is implanted. And always keep a distance of at least 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) between inductive charging stations and your .
  • Tell security staff at airports (or in other places with similar scanners such as department stores, museums or courts) that you have a and show them your ID if necessary. You will then be frisked or checked using a metal detector to make sure that no alarms are set off unnecessarily and your is not affected.
  • Keep an eye out for warning signs in unfamiliar surroundings: Rooms or areas that you shouldn’t enter if you have a usually have a warning sign.
Illustration: Do not enter any areas with “No entry for pacemaker patients” signs

What is the difference between pacemakers and defibrillators?

Like pacemakers, defibrillators can also be implanted (ICD = implantable cardioverter-defibrillator). These two devices look similar, but they have different jobs:

  • A is implanted if the heart is beating too slowly on its own. It regularly transmits weak signals in the rhythm of a normal pulse. Each of these signals triggers a single heartbeat.
  • Defibrillators are implanted if the heart is beating too quickly some of the time. It transmits stronger electrical signals. That makes the heart stop for a brief moment so that it can beat in its normal rhythm again afterwards. All defibrillators also have a function.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK). Schrittmacher- und Defibrillator-Träger sollten einen Sicherheitsabstand zu ihrem Smartphone einhalten.

Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV). Beeinflussung von Implantaten durch elektromagnetische Felder. Eine Handlungshilfe für die betriebliche Praxis. 2012.

Glikson M, Nielsen JC, Kronborg MB et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy. Europace 2022; 24(1): 71-164.

Kasper DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2015.

Munawar DA, Chan JE, Emami M et al. Magnetic resonance imaging in non-conditional pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Europace 2020; 22(2): 288-298.

Pschyrembel Online. 2022.

Sommer T, Bauer W, Fischbach K et al. MR-Untersuchungen bei Patienten mit Herzschrittmachern und implantierbaren Kardioverter-Defibrillatoren. Konsensuspapier der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK) und der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft (DRG). Kardiologe 2017; 11: 97-113.

Von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff F, Bauer WR, Deneke T et al. Empfehlungen zu kardialen MRT-Untersuchungen bei Patienten mit Herzschrittmachern und implantierbaren Kardioverter-Defibrillatoren. Kardiologe 2019; 13: 75-86.

IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health care services.

Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual case can be determined by talking to a doctor. informedhealth.org can provide support for talks with doctors and other medical professionals, but cannot replace them. We do not offer individual consultations.

Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a team of health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in our methods.

Comment on this page

What would you like to share with us?

We welcome any feedback and ideas - either via our form or by gi-kontakt@iqwig.de. We will review, but not publish, your ratings and comments. Your information will of course be treated confidentially. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required fields.

Please note that we do not provide individual advice on matters of health. You can read about where to find help and support in Germany in our information “How can I find self-help groups and information centers?

Über diese Seite

Updated on November 22, 2023

Next planned update: 2026

Publisher:

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG, Germany)

Stay informed

Subscribe to our newsletter or newsfeed. You can find our growing collection of films on YouTube.