Defibrillators are medical devices that deliver an electrical shock to the heart, used as a medical intervention during specific cardiac emergencies. They are used when the heart experiences a life-threatening abnormal rhythm or stops beating effectively. Applying a defibrillator to a healthy person, however, can have serious and detrimental consequences, as its powerful electrical discharge is not suited for a normally functioning heart.
Defibrillator Function and Purpose
A defibrillator’s primary role is to correct life-threatening chaotic electrical activity in the heart, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. In these conditions, the heart’s lower chambers quiver ineffectively or beat too rapidly to pump blood, leading to sudden cardiac arrest. It delivers a controlled electrical current to momentarily stop all electrical activity, allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker to reset and resume a normal, organized rhythm. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to analyze the heart’s rhythm and will only advise a shock if a shockable rhythm is detected, preventing accidental shocks to a heart with normal activity.
Immediate Cardiac Response
When an electrical shock is delivered to a healthy heart, which already possesses a regular and synchronized electrical rhythm, the outcome can be highly disruptive. The heart’s natural electrical impulses maintain a steady beat. An external high-energy shock can override or completely disorganize this established rhythm. This interference may induce dangerous arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, which the device is designed to treat in an unhealthy heart but could cause in a healthy one. In some instances, an unnecessary shock can even lead to asystole, a complete cessation of electrical activity.
Broader Physical Harm
Beyond the direct impact on cardiac rhythm, an unnecessary defibrillator shock can cause significant physical injuries to a healthy individual. The high-energy electrical discharge can result in skin burns at the sites where the electrode pads are placed, ranging from first- to second-degree burns. The intense electrical stimulation can also cause forceful muscle contractions throughout the body. These forceful contractions may lead to muscle damage and soreness, and in rare cases, can even result in bone fractures, such as ribs or the sternum. The body’s tissues are not designed to safely absorb such a powerful electrical surge.
Understanding the Risks of Misuse
While defibrillators are life-saving tools for specific cardiac emergencies, their power makes them dangerous when misused. The device is designed for a narrow range of cardiac events where the heart’s electrical system has malfunctioned. These devices should only be used by trained individuals or when an AED has determined a shock is medically necessary. The significant risks associated with using a defibrillator on a healthy person, including cardiac arrest and physical trauma, far outweigh any benefit.