| Cardiac defibrillators used to be a tool of paramedics | | | | implanted on the side of the chest and are equipped |
| and doctors only, but new technology have simplified | | | | with heart monitoring equipment. They activate a small |
| the process so that nearly anyone can use these | | | | jolt of electricity whenever the heartbeat becomes |
| products to help assist a person having a sudden heart | | | | irregular. This model is more common for individuals |
| attack. Unfortunately, need for these portable and | | | | with birth defects, but can also be found for people |
| easy to use products has also lead to this | | | | with long-term illnesses. |
| development as well. This has been for many reasons, | | | | Regardless of the form, these products all do the |
| but one of the largest is the awareness of the power | | | | same function. The paddles (or implanted electrodes) |
| of these products to stop sudden heart problems that | | | | deliver a strong electrical current to the heart muscle. |
| can occur for many different reasons. Many people | | | | This overloads the heart muscle's electrical timing |
| associate these problems with heart attacks, caused | | | | (which is controlled by electricity) causing the cardiac |
| by old age or poor health, but irregular heart rhythms in | | | | muscle to reset and resume a normal rhythm. This is |
| birth, some existing from birth require these machines | | | | necessary during certain cardiac episodes that are |
| as well. | | | | caused for various reasons that off-set the cardiac |
| There are three basic types of machines on the | | | | muscle. Whatever the cause, these instances are |
| market today. Most people are familiar with the | | | | viewed as life threatening and require the intense |
| standard large medical model seen in movies. These | | | | power of these machines. |
| products used handles that are placed on the body | | | | These products have gone through many changes |
| and held by the administering person. Aside from this | | | | throughout the past century and are now very safe to |
| model is the hands-free version. These products do | | | | operate for both the patient and the administering |
| the same thing as the paddle models in the same | | | | person. The machines meant for home or office use |
| places on the body, however they stick to the skin and | | | | have clearly labeled instructions and can be the last line |
| do not need to be held. A more intensive version is the | | | | of defensive in saving a person's life in many situations |
| implanted models. These are for people with heart | | | | when a heart attack suddenly strikes. |
| conditions that need regular monitoring. They are | | | | |