When is a pacemaker needed?

A person might need a pacemaker to be inserted for several reasons. These include:

• Malfunctions in the heart's sinoatrial (SA) node, also called the body's natural pacemaker. When the SA node does not work properly, the heart can beat too slowly.
• Malfunctions in the heart’s atrioventricular (AV) node, which sends electrical signals from the SA node to the ventricles. When the AV node malfunctions, this leads to a slow heartbeat.
• Poor heart performance because of severe symptoms of congestive heart failure and a weakened heart muscle.