Understanding A Defibrillator

1. Article4: Cardiaclife.net UNDERSTANDING A DEFIBRILLATOR A defibrillator is a tiny device which is placed on the chest of the cardiac patient in order to detect abnormal heartbeats. When the heartbeat of the patient is too fast or begins to beat unsteadily, this electronic device sends electrical shocks to a person's heart, getting it to beat back at a normal rhythm. The device provides emergency support in case of cardiac arrest till the time a patient makes it to the hospital. A defibrillator works like a tiny computer. Rather than storing data and other programs, a defibrillator records heartbeats. Whenever it detects abnormal heartbeat, the device kicks into gear. The device must be used as soon as a person begins to exhibit or feel cardiac symptoms. In such conditions, the defibrillator is absolutely critical to keeping the person alive. The device assesses the health condition of the victim. It will instruct the user to proceed with administering the shock or else, suggest when emergency measures are not viable. Defibrillators are basically made up of two parts i.e., the lead and the generator. The lead checks the heartbeat rhythms as well as carries energy to the heart when irregular or unsteady rhythms are detected. The generator is the brains behind the lead which decides what to do with the rhythms. Whenever it detects irregular heartbeats, it sends out the energy through the leads. The "energy" is a battery that is stored in the generator. Heart defibrillators deliver electrical currents to the victim’s heart by touching a button. However, a cardioverter-defibrillator is actually implanted into the patient’s body to manage this task without external input. This process requires an implant surgery. Getting a defibrillator implant is a surgical procedure that needs a patient to be put under observation. Most of these surgeries are successful and many defibrillator recipients certainly continue leading healthy and prolonged lives. Safety precautions are always built into the very design of these devices. You do not want to unintentionally shock yourself or someone else near the patient. It is advisable for the patients not to lift bulky items until they recover fully. They are also suggested not to take a shower for at least five days after the implant surgery. This is a precautionary measure to protect the chest wound. Defibrillators are in widespread use all over the world. Studies have proven that they save lives as well as function better than most drug therapies for those ailing people who are prone to electrical problems of the heart. The devices are no longer difficult to use. Trained medical professional are not required for assisting a heart attack victim. A shock is delivered through the electrodes applied to the chest of the victim. This electrical current creates a tremor in the heart muscle to end the fibrillation. Whether implanted or otherwise, defibrillators come with extensive usage guidelines that are pretty easy to follow, that allow almost anyone to provide a life-saving shock to an ailing person’s heart. To know about Lifepak defibrillator, visit Cardiaclife.net ABOUT THE AUTHOR Davey Higgs is a veteran doctor and an extremely respected name in the medical world who also loves writing various articles and blogs, helping people understand cardiac problems better. He recommends Cardiaclife.net as one of the most trusted names when it comes to Philips AED, Philips Headstart and other similar products needed to maintain cardiac health.