Did you know that there are different heart devices that treat different heart conditions? When people think of a heart device the first thing that comes to mind is a pacemaker. While a pacemaker is one heart device there are also ICDs and CRT heart devices.

To help you understand what each device treats and how it works, we have highlighted three devices.

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is designed to mimic the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinus node. It treats a condition called bradycardia, a condition where the heart beats too slowly. The pacemaker has two main purposes – pacing and sensing.

Pacing: A pacemaker will send an electrical impulse to the heart through a pacing lead, when the hearts own rhythm is too slow or interrupted. This pacing pulse starts a heartbeat.

Sensing: A pacemaker will also sense (monitor) the heart’s natural electrical activity. When the pacemaker senses a natural heartbeat, it will not deliver a pulse.

ICD (implantable defibrillator)

An implantable defibrillator is designed to monitor your heart rhythm 24 hours a day. If your heart is beating too fast, the device will first send small painless electrical signals to correct your heart rate. If the dangerously fast heart continues, the defibrillator will attempt to restore a lifesaving shock to restore your heart to a normal rate. The implantable defibrillator can also treat slow heart rhythms by sending electrical pulses to the heart to correct it.

An ICD is designed to treat people with tachycardia, a condition where the heart beats too fast.

CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy)

A cardiac resynchronization therapy device is designed to monitor your heart rhythm 24 hours a day. It provides electrical pulses to pace the lower chambers of your heart to help them beat in a more coordinated rhythm. This coordinating or “resynchronization” therapy improves the heart’s ability to pump blood and oxygen more efficiently to the body.

The most common condition a CRT heart device treats is heart failure. This is a condition where the heart muscle is weakened and is not able to efficiently pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.