What is the difference between the two types of pacemakers?
If you have a temporary problem with heart rhythm (a common condition for patients recovering from a heart attack), you may need just a temporary pacemaker. Your doctor can attach a small device to your skin that sends an electronic signal to your heart. Most pacemakers, however, are implanted in the body. Each implantable pacemaker has two main parts, a “pulse generator” that emits the electrical signal and one or two “leads,” or wires that carry the electricity to the heart. The pulse generator, about the size of three stacked poker chips, usually sits below the collarbone. The leads are threaded through large veins until they reach the heart. Early pacemakers produced the same unwavering rhythm at all times, but thanks to computer technology, today’s pacemakers are much more flexible and adaptable. For instance, some devices turn on only when your heart rate drops below a certain level. These are called demand pacemakers. Other devices, known as rate-adaptive pacemakers, automatical
