Why is pacemaker implanted

A pacemaker battery lasts an average of 7 to 10 years and should be checked regularly and replaced by a doctor when necessary. Home Contact Locate. Pacemaker Implantation A cardiac pacemaker is a device that is implanted under the skin to help control an individual's heart beat.

Candidates for a Pacemaker The heart pumps blood through the body in a continuous cycle through a steady heartbeat. Types of cardiac pacemakers include: Single-chamber pacemakers. Contact Us Interested in learning more about how our services can help you? Here are some of the most common causes of arrhythmias: Sick sinus syndrome In sick sinus syndrome, the SA node doesn't work as it should.

Symptoms of sick sinus syndrome can include: a slower pulse than normal bradycardia extreme tiredness fatigue fainting or nearly fainting dizziness or lightheadedness shortness of breath chest pain irregular or fluttering heartbeats palpitations Most cases of sick sinus syndrome are thought to be related to age.

Atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast. This is usually considerably higher than beats a minute often beats a minute or more. In these cases, a pacemaker will usually be recommended.

Heart block In people with heart block , the pulse that needs to be sent from the SA node to the AV node is either delayed or absent. Cardiac arrest An implantable cardioverter defibrillator ICD , which is a device similar to a pacemaker, is mainly used to prevent cardiac arrest. Unless it's treated quickly, a cardiac arrest will be fatal.

If the ICD detects these type of signals, it sends a powerful electrical shock to the heart. Factors that increase the risk of a cardiac arrest occurring include: coronary heart disease where the main vessels that supply the heart become narrowed and hardened, reducing the blood supply having a heart attack congenital heart disease where a person is born with one or more defects affecting their heart cardiomyopathy abnormalities of the heart muscle, which leads to poor heart function Types of pacemaker There are several different types of pacemaker.

Your pacemaker will be programmed to fit your heart rhythm needs. You'll need to arrange to have someone drive you home from the hospital. Your doctor might recommend that you avoid vigorous exercise or heavy lifting for about a month.

Avoid putting pressure on the area where the pacemaker was implanted. If you have pain in that area, ask your doctor about taking medicines available without a prescription, such as acetaminophen Tylenol, others or ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others. It's unlikely that your pacemaker would stop working properly because of electrical interference. Still, you'll need to take a few precautions:.

Security systems. Passing through an airport metal detector won't interfere with your pacemaker, although the metal in the pacemaker could sound the alarm. But avoid lingering near or leaning against a metal-detection system. Devices that are unlikely to interfere with your pacemaker include microwave ovens, televisions and remote controls, radios, toasters, electric blankets, electric shavers, and electric drills. Having a pacemaker should improve symptoms caused by a slow heartbeat such as fatigue, lightheadedness and fainting.

Because most of today's pacemakers automatically adjust the heart rate to match the level of physical activity, they may can allow you to resume a more active lifestyle. Your doctor should check your pacemaker every 3 to 6 months. Tell your doctor if you gain weight, if your legs or ankles get puffy, or if you faint or get dizzy.

Most pacemakers can be checked by your doctor remotely, which means you don't have to go into the doctor's office. Your pacemaker sends information to your doctor, including your heart rate and rhythm, how your pacemaker is working, and how much battery life is left.

Your pacemaker's battery should last 5 to 15 years. When the battery stops working, you'll need surgery to replace it. The procedure to change your pacemaker's battery is often quicker and requires less recovery time than the procedure to implant your pacemaker.

If you have a pacemaker and become terminally ill with a condition unrelated to your heart, such as cancer, it's possible that your pacemaker could prolong your life. Doctors and researchers vary in their opinions about turning off a pacemaker in end-of-life situations. Talk to your doctor if you have a pacemaker and are concerned about turning it off.

You may also want to talk to family members or another person designated to make medical decisions for you about what you'd like to do in end-of-life care situations. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Pacemaker care at Mayo Clinic. Notify your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant blood-thinning medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting.

It may be necessary for you to stop some of these medications prior to the procedure. Your doctor may request a blood test prior to the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot. Other blood tests may be done as well. You may receive a sedative prior to the procedure to help you relax. If a sedative is given and there is a possibility that you may be discharged, you will need someone to drive you home.

You will likely spend at least one night in the hospital after the procedure for observation and to ensure the pacemaker functions properly. A pacemaker may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.

You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. An intravenous IV line will be started in your hand or arm prior to the procedure for injection of medication and to administer IV fluids, if needed. You will be connected to an electrocardiogram ECG or EKG monitor that records the electrical activity of the heart and monitors the heart during the procedure using small, adhesive electrodes. Your vital signs heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation level will be monitored during the procedure.

You will receive a sedative medication in your IV before the procedure to help you relax. However, you will likely remain awake during the procedure. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, the physician will make a small incision at the insertion site.

A sheath, or introducer, is inserted into a blood vessel, usually under the collarbone. The sheath is a plastic tube through which the pacer lead wire will be inserted into the blood vessel and advanced into the heart. It will be very important for you to remain still during the procedure so that the catheter does not move out of place and to prevent damage to the insertion site.

The lead wire will be inserted through the introducer into the blood vessel. The doctor will advance the lead wire through the blood vessel into the heart. Once the lead wire is inside the heart, it will be tested to verify proper location and that it works. There may be one, two, or three lead wires inserted, depending on the type of device your doctor has chosen for your condition. Fluoroscopy, a special type of X-ray that will be displayed on a TV monitor , may be used to assist in testing the location of the leads.

The pacemaker generator will be slipped under the skin through the incision just below the collarbone after the lead wire is attached to the generator. Generally, the generator will be placed on the nondominant side. If you are right-handed, the device will be placed in your upper left chest. If you are left-handed, the device will be placed in your upper right chest. After the procedure, you may be taken to the recovery room for observation or returned to your hospital room.

A nurse will monitor your vital signs. You should immediately inform your nurse if you feel any chest pain or tightness, or any other pain at the incision site. After the period of bed rest has been completed, you may get out of bed with assistance. The nurse will assist you the first time you get up, and will check your blood pressure while you are lying in bed, sitting, and standing. You should move slowly when getting up from the bed to avoid any dizziness from the period of bedrest.

Your doctor will visit with you in your room while you are recovering. The doctor will give you specific instructions and answer any questions you may have.

Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to your hospital room or discharged home. If the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, you may be allowed to leave after you have completed the recovery process. However, it is common to spend at least one night in the hospital after pacemaker implantation for observation.

You should be able to return to your daily routine within a few days. Your doctor will tell you if you will need to take more time in returning to your normal activities.