Abstract: A system for the detection of cardiac events occurring in a human patient is provided. At least two electrodes are included in the system for obtaining an electrical signal from a patient's heart. An electrical signal processor is electrically coupled to the electrodes for processing the electrical signal and a patient alarm means is further provided and electrically coupled to the electrical signal processor. The patient alarm means generates higher and lower priority types of alarm signals subsequent to detection of higher and lower types of cardiac events, respectively, by the electrical signal processor. The patient alarm means may be further applied to a pacemaker or defibrillator system.