What are Defibrillators?

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About Defibrillators:

Defibrillators are devices that send an electric pulse or shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.
They are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, an uneven heartbeat that is too slow or too fast.
If the heart suddenly stops, defibrillators can also help it beat again.
There are three types of defibrillators: AEDs, ICDs, and WCDs.
- Automated External Defibrillators (AED):
  - An AED is a lightweight, battery-operated, portable device that checks the heart’s rhythm and sends a shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm.
  - The device is used to help people having cardiac arrest.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs):
  - ICDs are placed through surgery in the chest or stomach area, where the device can check for arrhythmias.
  - Arrhythmias can interrupt the flow of blood from your heart to the rest of your body or cause your heart to stop.
  - The ICD sends a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.
- Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillators (WCDs):
  - WCDs have sensors that attach to the skin.
  - They are connected by wires to a unit that checks your heart’s rhythm and delivers shocks when needed.
  - Like an ICD, the WCD can deliver low- and high-energy shocks. The device has a belt attached to a vest that is worn under your clothes.
Your provider fits the device to your size. It is programmed to detect a specific heart rhythm.

Q1) What is an arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm that isn’t normal. Your heart may be beating too fast when you’re at rest or just not beating in a regular pattern, for example. Arrhythmias range from harmless to serious, with symptoms and without. There are many options to treat arrhythmias, but some don’t need them.

Source: Study finds defibrillators used in just one out of ten cardiac arrests