Final answer:
Artificial pacemakers are medical devices that deliver electrical impulses to the heart to maintain a normal heart rhythm when the heart's electrical system is faulty. They can be programmed to match the body's activity levels and may include defibrillators for emergencies. AEDs are external devices available in public spaces for immediate use during cardiac emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artificial pacemakers are inserted when the electrical control system of the heart is so damaged that it cannot function properly. When arrhythmias become chronic, meaning the heart beats with an abnormal rhythm, an artificial pacemaker can be used to deliver controlled electrical impulses to stimulate the heart muscle to contract and pump blood effectively. These devices are critically important for patients with severe arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, where the ventricles are unable to pump blood efficiently, which can lead to brain death within minutes without treatment.
Modern pacemakers are highly sophisticated, with the ability to be programmed for varying levels of activity, and can adjust the heart's pumping action to meet the changing needs of the body. Furthermore, some pacemakers also include built-in defibrillators which can deliver a shock to jolt the heart back into a normal rhythm in the event of life-threatening arrhythmias. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are also available in public spaces to assist in emergencies where immediate defibrillation is required before medical help arrives.1