Pacemakers

The normal healthy human heart has a regular beat set by the heart’s natural pacemaker, which sends regular electrical impulses throughout the heart muscle to co-ordinate a contraction, or heart beat.

In some heart conditions these electrical impulses are delayed or blocked, usually caused by heart disease or ageing of the heart.

These hearts may need an artificial cardiac pacemaker to help maintain their heartbeat.

BHF-supported research has contributed to advances that enable thousands of UK patients to be fitted with a pacemaker in a routine procedure under local anaesthetic.

The first pacemakers

Early pacemakers were bulky and cumbersome, requiring a traumatic operation to open the chest in order to sew electrodes directly onto the surface of the heart. 

Revolutionising pacemakers

In the 1960’s, the BHF supported a pioneering group of researchers at the forefront of heart pacing research at St George’s Hospital in London.

The research team led by Dr Aubrey Leatham and chief technician Geoff Davies revolutionised pacemaker technology. The work of the St George’s Hospital team and scientists around the world has paved the way for the miniature, sophisticated pacemaker devices that we use today.

What’s next?

Pacemaker technology continues to evolve, and cardiologists are undertaking further BHF-funded studies to optimise and refine heart pacing for people with permanent pacemakers.

The BHF also funds a range of research projects to understand the causes and effects of abnormal heart rhythms. This will help some future heart patients avoid the need for a pacemaker, and ensure that artificial pacing is optimised for others.

Got any questions about this page?