Do pacemakers help atrial fibrillation?

Pacemakers are useful in treating certain types of atrial fibrillation, including tachy-brady syndrome, which is characterized by intermittent atrial fibrillation followed by a slow heart rate, notes WebMD. Doctors also recommend pacemaker implantation when a patient responds poorly to medicine used to control atrial fibrillation.

A pacemaker is an implantable device that stimulates the heart to reset the heart rate when it beats too quickly or speed up the heart when it beats too slowly, effectively helping the heart maintain a regular beat, reports WebMD. Pacemakers respond to the patient’s physical activity accordingly, helping to reproduce the natural rhythm of the heart.