What is the purpose of a pacemaker?

• A. To manage bradycardia and irregular heart rates
• B. To cure hypertension
• C. To dissolve clots
• D. To replace the heart

Answer: (A)

Pacemakers are electrical devices that deliver timed impulses to the heart to maintain a proper heart rate and rhythm. Their main goal is to prevent the heartbeat from becoming too slow (bradycardia) and to coordinate the timing of contractions when the heart’s natural electrical system is unreliable or blocked. By keeping the heart beating at an adequate rate and with synchronized atrial and/or ventricular contractions, the device improves blood flow and reduces symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or fainting.

This isn’t about lowering blood pressure, dissolving clots, or replacing the heart. Hypertension is managed with lifestyle changes and medications; clots are treated with anticoagulants or thrombolytics; the heart would be replaced only with a transplant or a total artificial heart. So the pacemaker’s purpose aligns with managing bradycardia and irregular heart rhythms.