An implantable device for facilitating control of electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction is provided. A stimulation therapy lead includes helical electrodes configured to conform to an outer diameter of a cervical vagus nerve sheath, and a set of connector pins electrically connected to the helical electrodes. A neurostimulator includes an electrical receptacle into which the connector pins are securely and electrically coupled. The neurostimulator also includes a pulse generator configured to therapeutically stimulate the vagus nerve through the helical electrodes in alternating cycles of stimuli application and stimuli inhibition that are tuned to both efferently activate the hearts intrinsic nervous system and afferently activate the patients central reflexes by triggering bi-directional action potentials. Finally, the neurostimulator includes a programmable switch configured to alter the triggering of the bi-directional action potentials in response to a magnetic signal received from outside the housing.
