WHAT IS A HEART DEFIBRILLATOR? | WELLBEING

There are two main types of defibrillators:

1. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): This device is surgically implanted under the skin, usually in the left chest area. The ICD continuously monitors the heart rhythm and delivers electrical impulses to treat abnormal heartbeats.

2. Automated External Defibrillator (AED): This type is commonly used in the community and is not implanted into the body. The AED analyzes the heart rhythm and emits electrical impulses to treat fibrillation when necessary.

Target Groups Defibrillators are highly beneficial for certain high-risk groups, such as:

• People with a history of arrhythmias.

• People with heart failure.

• People with other cardiovascular conditions such as valvular heart disease or congenital heart disease.

Effectiveness Defibrillators are highly effective in first aid for victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), potentially increasing survival chances by up to 74% when used within the very first minutes. Depending on economic conditions and the actual environment, either an ICD or an AED is applied in appropriate real-world situations.