The doctors may have suggested that you need a pacemaker because the electrical activity of your heart is abnormal. There are different types of pacemaker and you may need to have some tests to find out which one will be best for you. To help you understand this it may be useful to look at how the normal heart works.
Sinoatrial node disease
This is also described as 'sick sinus syndrome'. It is when your sinoatrial node – your heart's natural pacemaker – cannot fire the electrical impulses which cause the heart to beat, or is firing them too quickly or too slowly.
Heart block
This is the main reason for needing a pacemaker. This is when a problem blocks the electrical impulses on their way to the bottom of the heart. With heart block people often experience symptoms such as blackouts or dizziness.
Heart failure
Some patients diagnosed with heart failure may need a 'biventricular pacemaker' to help synchronise the pumping of the heart. Not all people will benefit from this type of pacemaker.
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