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. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A pacemaker is a small device that's placed implanted in your chest to help control your heartbeat.
A pacemaker is also called a cardiac pacing device. Cardiac resynchronization therapy. The heart's conduction system Open pop-up dialog box Close. The heart's conduction system The heart's natural pacemaker — the sinus node — produces electrical signals that prompt your heart to beat.
Pacemaker Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pacemaker A pacemaker is a device used to control an abnormal heart rhythm. One important thing to remember is that the patient will want to avoid raising their affected arm for at least a month. That means no lifting the arm adjacent to the pacemaker. Want to talk with someone about having a pacemaker fitted, or similar cardiology procedures to improve heart health? If you have any questions about this procedure, the team at One Welbeck Heart Health will be happy to discuss options with you.
Skip to content. Find out more. Pacemaker surgery is one of the procedures we provide patients at OneWelbeck Heart Health. How long does pacemaker surgery take? With it being a short operation, is the patient awake?
How long does a patient need to recover after surgery? You may need a temporary pacemaker after a heart attack or heart surgery. You may also need one if a medication overdose temporarily slowed your heart.
These tests can ensure that a pacemaker is the right choice for you. Your doctor will give you complete instructions on how to prepare. Implanting a pacemaker typically takes one to two hours. Your surgeon will make a small incision near your shoulder.
Then the surgeon will lead the wire through your vein to your heart. An X-ray machine will help guide your surgeon through the process. The ventricle is the lower chamber of the heart. The other end of the wire attaches to a pulse generator.
This contains the battery and electrical circuits. The atrium is the upper chamber of the heart. Every medical procedure has some risks. Most risks associated with a pacemaker are from the surgical installation. They include:. You may go home that evening, or you could stay in the hospital overnight. Your doctor can reprogram the device as needed at follow-up appointments.
Over the next month, you should avoid rigorous exercise and heavy lifting. You may also need to take over-the-counter medications for any discomfort.
Provided this check is satisfactory, you'll have your pacemaker checked every 3 to 12 months. If after having the pacemaker fitted and leaving hospital you feel you're not getting as much benefit as you imagined, your pacemaker may need some small adjustments. Signs that your pacemaker isn't working as it should or you have developed an infection or blood clot include:.
Contact your GP or cardiologist as soon as possible for advice if you experience any of these problems after having a pacemaker fitted. If this isn't possible, call NHS or your local out-of-hours service.
Anything that produces a strong electromagnetic field, like an induction hob, can interfere with a pacemaker. Most common household electrical equipment, such as hairdryers and microwave ovens, won't be a problem, as long as you use them at least 15cm 6 inches away from your pacemaker. If you have an induction hob, keep a distance of at least 60cm 2ft between the stove top and your pacemaker. If this is a problem, you may want to consider replacing the appliance with something more suitable.
If you feel dizzy or feel your heart beating faster while using an electrical appliance, simply move away from it to allow your heart beat to return to normal.
It's safe to use a mobile phone, but make sure you keep it more than 15cm 6 inches from your pacemaker. Use a headset or the ear on the opposite side to the pacemaker. Walking steadily through an anti-theft detector in a shop doorway shouldn't affect your pacemaker, but don't stand too close to this type of security device for long. Airport security systems don't usually cause problems with pacemakers, but carry your pacemaker identification card with you and tell security staff you have a pacemaker.
Security staff in some countries may insist you pass through the scanner. Move quickly through it and don't linger nearby. Handheld metal detectors shouldn't be placed directly over your pacemaker. MRI scanners aren't usually used for people with pacemakers because they produce strong magnetic fields. Other types of medical tests are safe, but always tell the person treating you that you have a pacemaker.
TENS machines shouldn't be used without first consulting your pacemaker clinic or manufacturer. They produce small electrical impulses that could interfere with your pacemaker. Lithotripsy , a treatment for kidney stones , must be avoided if you have a pacemaker fitted.
If your job brings you into contact with strong electrical fields, such as arc welding, diathermy or working with high-power radio or TV transmitters, or you have direct contact with car ignition systems, check with your cardiologist or pacemaker technician before returning to work. Most pacemaker batteries last for 6 to 10 years.
After this, you may need to have the batteries changed. Ask your doctor how you'll know when the battery needs to be replaced or recharged. Changing the batteries involves replacing the pacemaker box with a new unit.
This is a simple procedure that may or may not require an overnight stay in hospital. The original lead or leads can usually be left in place, although occasionally they'll also need to be replaced.
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