When your cardiologist says they would recommend a pacemaker, questions abound.
How do you wear a pacemaker? How does it work? Is it painful?
Your doctor can answer any questions you have and personalize your care. In this Q&A, Amulya Gampa, MD, an electrophysiologist with Endeavor Health and Midwest Cardiovascular Institute, answers some general questions about pacemakers.
- What do pacemakers do?
Pacemakers are electronic devices that can pace the heart, or make it beat faster, using a small battery and wires that extend into the heart. - Who needs a pacemaker?
People who need pacemakers generally have slow heart rates. The job of a pacemaker is to make your heart beat faster when the your heart rate is too slow. They can also be used in people who only occasionally need pacing, such as when intermittent pauses in the heartbeat lead to dizziness or fainting. Importantly, a pacemaker cannot slow down a fast heart rate — it can only speed up the heart. - How are pacemakers connected to your heart?
A pacemaker consists of a generator (battery) that is implanted under the skin in the upper chest and one or more “leads,” or wires, that extend from the generator into the heart. This is achieved by feeding the leads through a vein in the chest that courses directly into the heart. Pacemakers are implanted through a minimally invasive procedure that does not require the chest to be surgically opened. How does a pacemaker change your daily life?
Hopefully, a pacemaker will not change your daily life much in the long run! For the first several weeks after a pacemaker is implanted, you may be instructed not to lift heavy weights or overextend your arm on the affected side. After the initial healing period, you should be able to resume all normal activity.There are certain situations where you may need to talk to your physician before proceeding, such as getting an MRI. When flying, you should inform airport security that you have a pacemaker — they may use a wand to screen you instead of the body scanner or metal detector. There are a few specific activities, such as welding or working on running motors, that are not recommended when you have a pacemaker. You should speak with your physician if you regularly engage in these activities.
What are some new innovations or technologies used in pacemakers today?
Pacemakers have evolved quite a bit over the years. Recently, we have seen innovations in leadless pacemakers, which are small devices that are implanted directly into the heart that do not require leads or a battery placed under the skin. There have also been advancements in lead placement techniques that allow us to pace the heart’s own electrical conduction system and create a more “natural” heartbeat.Read this story: “It takes a lot off my mind.” Patient first in Illinois to receive new leadless pacemaker
