Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Marcapasos cardíaco
Cardiac pacemaker (KAR-dee-AK PAYS-may-ker)
An electronic device that is implanted in the body to monitor heart rate and rhythm. It gives the heart electrical stimulation when it does not beat normally. It runs on batteries and has long, thin wires that connect it to the heart. Also called artificial pacemaker and pacemaker.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.