A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps the electrical system in your heart to send electrical signals at the right speed. Problems with the heart's electrical system can make your heart beat slow or uneven. When this happens you may have dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, or fainting spells. These symptoms are most likely to occur when you are doing an activity.

The pacemaker is surgically implanted under the skin at the left shoulder, below the collar bone. Electrode wires are then threaded into the heart to enable the pacemaker to track and record your heart rate. When the heart rate is too slow, the pacemaker generates signals to simulate the heart to beat at the right pace.