what is a heart defibrillator

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery-powered device placed in the chest that detects and stops irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) . It is a type of cardiac therapy device that continuously monitors the heartbeat and delivers electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm. An ICD is made up of a pulse generator, which is about the size of a large pocket watch and contains a battery and electrical circuits that read the electrical activity of the heart, and electrodes, which are wires that go through veins to the heart and connect the heart to the rest of the device. The device can deliver a shock to the heart when it senses a life-threatening rhythm, and it can also work as a pacemaker when the heartbeat is too slow. An ICD is typically recommended for people who have a dangerously fast heartbeat that keeps the heart from supplying enough blood to the rest of the body or who are at high risk of such a heart rhythm problem.