What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator?

As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can provide you with a clear explanation of the differences between a pacemaker and a defibrillator. Pacemaker: A pacemaker is a small device that's implanted in the body to help regulate the heartbeat. It's used when a person has a slow or irregular heart rhythm, known as bradycardia. The pacemaker sends electrical impulses to the heart muscle to ensure that it beats at a normal rate. Pacemakers are not designed to treat rapid heart rhythms like those seen in tachycardia or fibrillation. Defibrillator: A defibrillator, on the other hand, is a device that gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart. This is used to treat life-threatening rapid heart rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. An external defibrillator can be used in emergency situations, while an **implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)** is a more permanent solution that's surgically placed under the skin and connected to the heart, providing treatment in case of a detected abnormal heart rhythm. In summary, a pacemaker helps to regulate a slow or irregular heart rhythm, while a defibrillator is used to correct rapid or chaotic heart rhythms.

An arrhythmia is any disorder of your heart rate or rhythm. ... If your arrhythmia is serious, you may need a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). They are devices that are implanted in your chest or abdomen. A pacemaker helps control abnormal heart rhythms.