Heart Rate

The Heart Beat

The natural resting heart rate is controlled by a group of specialised cells that are found in the right atrium of the heart. This group of cells is known as the natural pacemaker of the heart.

Pacemakers generate electrical signals that spread to the heart’s muscle cells, making the heart contract. So it regulates the heart rate.

Artificial pacemakers

In some cases, the pacemaker of the heart can stop working, so doctors can implant an artificial pacemaker in the patient.

Diagram illustrating a heart connected to an artificial pacemaker, with labels indicating the pacemaker leads, right atrium, and right ventricle, helping to explain the device's role in regulating heart rhythms.

An artificial pacemaker is a small electrical device that corrects irregularities in the heart rate. The pacemaker is placed just under the skin and it is connected to a wire that sends an electrical impulse to the heart. This helps the heart to contract regularly.