Cardiac pacemaker tester, probably England, 1955-1965

Cardiac pacemaker tester, probably English, c.1960

Heart pacemakers are a cheap, relatively safe and effective treatment for coronary heart disease. They are either external devices, which are usually temporary, or internal ones which sit just below the skin of the chest wall. They emit an electrical impulse to artificially regulate the heartbeat. This cardiac pacemaker tester dates from the 1960s. The technology at this time was very much in its infancy.

Pacemakers are extremely common in the West. Pacemaker follow-up clinics exist in major hospitals. These assess pacemaker function and anticipate failure.