When someone has a heart attack, their doctor may implant an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) to help regulate their heartbeat. An ICD is a battery-powered device that monitors the heart rate and delivers electrical shocks if needed to restore a normal heart rhythm. A pacemaker is a similar device that is used to treat bradycardia or an abnormally slow heart rate. So what’s the difference between an ICD and a pacemaker? Let’s take a closer look.
What is ICD?
ICD is an abbreviation for the International Classification of Diseases. ICD is a system used to classify diseases and other health conditions. ICD is used by healthcare providers to diagnose and treat patients. ICD is also used to track epidemiological trends. ICD is maintained by the WHO. ICD is updated every few years. The most recent version is the ICD-10, which was released in 2016. ICD-11 will be released in 2022. ICD-10 consists of 21 chapters and over 55,000 codes. ICD-11 will be even larger, with over 70,000 codes. ICD is used around the world and is the international standard for disease classification.
What is Pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a mechanical device that helps the heart to pump blood around the body. It is made up of two parts: an electrical stimulator, which sends out electrical pulses, and one or more leads, which are attached to the heart and deliver the electrical pulses. Pacemaker therapy is used to treat a variety of heart conditions, including bradycardia (a slow heart rate), tachycardia (a fast heart rate), and heart block (a condition where the electrical signals that control the heart’s pumping action are disrupted). Pacemakers can be implanted permanently or temporarily, depending on the needs of the individual.
Difference between ICD and Pacemaker
ICDs and pacemakers are two types of devices that can be used to treat irregular heartbeats. ICDs, or implantable cardioverter defibrillators, are devices that deliver electrical shocks to the heart in order to restore a regular rhythm. Pacemakers, on the other hand, are devices that deliver electrical impulses to the heart in order to help it maintain a regular rhythm. ICDs are generally considered to be more effective than pacemakers in treating irregular heartbeats, but they also carry a greater risk of side effects. ICDs may also be recommended for people who have had a previous heart attack or who have certain types of heart muscle damage.
Conclusion
While an ICD is a battery-powered device that shocks the heart back into rhythm, a pacemaker is a small electronic device that’s implanted under the skin in your chest to help control abnormal heart rhythms. If you’re wondering whether you need a pacemaker or an ICD, talk to your doctor about what might be best for you.
