HILO — Mayor Harry Kim underwent an out-patient procedure involving the insertion of a defibrillator at Hilo Medical Center this morning.
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is an electronic device about the size of a stopwatch that is connected to the heart and used to continuously monitor and help regulate potentially fast and life-threatening electrical problems with the heart, according to the Johns Hopkins website.
The defibrillator, unlike a conventional pacemaker, is generally needed for those at high risk of cardiac arrest due to a ventricular arrhythmia. It works by monitoring the heart rate and sending an electrical shock that resets the heart rhythm.
“Knowing Harry, he’ll be back at work soon,” Managing Director Wil Okabe said in a statement. “We appreciate everybody’s good wishes and support.”
Okabe, who is acting mayor when Kim is on sick leave, could not immediately be reached for comment. The mayor’s office said in a press release the procedure is a “precautionary measure.”
Kim, 78, has had multiple heart attacks, and in June, spent six days in the hospital after suffering his sixth episode.