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Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a device that can protect you against certain abnormal heart rhythms by constantly monitoring your heart. The pacemaker is able to detect a slow heart rhythm (bradycardia) and produce electrical impulses to increase your heart rate. If your heartbeat is too slow, there is not enough blood pumped to meet your body's needs. This may make you feel tired, weak, lightheaded or short of breath. A pacemaker restores the proper heart rate and rhythm.

Usually the pacemaker is implanted in the upper chest area just below the collarbone. The pacemaker is very small in size; most weigh an ounce or less. The pacemaker consists of a pulse generator (a battery and an electrical circuit) and a lead wire. The wire, or pacing lead, is threaded through a vein leading to the heart. The lead carries information about your heart rhythm back to the generator. It also is used to transmit needed electrical impulses to the heart. The leads and the generator are connected after proper placement is confirmed. The doctor will program the pacemaker to best fit your specific needs.

The pacemaker placement takes about two hours and is done in the Electrophysiology (EP) Lab.

Before the Treatment
Do not to eat or drink for several hours before the procedure.

Preparing for the Treatment
Before you come to the lab, you will be asked to remove eyeglasses or contact lenses and any jewelry.

During the Treatment
You will receive sedation to make you comfortable during surgery.

After the Treatment
You will then go to a cardiac monitoring unit to recover. You will remain on bed rest for about six hours. Your pacemaker will be checked the next day to see that it is working properly. Before discharge, a chest X-ray will be done, follow-up appointments will be made and instructions will be reviewed.

Recovery
At home, you will need time to recover from the surgery. It is important for you to listen to your body and rest when you feel tired, eat a proper diet, and follow up with your doctor for scheduled appointments. After you recover, you may resume your normal activities with a few restrictions.

Incision Care

  • Notify your surgeon if you develop signs of infection:
  • Fever greater than 100° F
  • Redness, swelling or tenderness at the incision site
  • Drainage from the incision site
  • Showering is not permitted until after the wound check appointment (one week after surgery).
  • Allow steri-strips (the clear strips of tape) to fall off naturally.
  • Protect your incisions from the sun to avoid sunburn and decrease scarring.

Life with Your Pacemaker

Activity Guidelines

  • Driving is allowed after one to six weeks. You will be given instructions about driving at your one-week follow-up appointment.
  • Exercise is encouraged. It is important to start slowly and progress gradually. You can check your heart rate by taking your pulse before and after exercise. Be sure to rest when you are tired. There are many benefits to a regular exercise program. Talk with your doctor to see what options are best for you.
  • Avoid exercise or activity that could result in blunt blows to the pacemaker site, such as contact sports.
  • Avoid lifting objects over 10 pounds (groceries, laundry, children, etc.) until six weeks after surgery.
  • Avoid activity involving stretching and/or reaching movements with your affected arm for six weeks after your surgery (such as golf or tennis).
  • Avoid swimming for six weeks until the incision is completely healed to decrease the risk of infections.
  • Avoid dental work for three months after implant.

Magnets and Electrical Devices
Normal use of properly operating household appliances will not damage your pacemaker. Using electric arc welders or working on automobile ignition systems will also not damage your pacemaker. They can interfere with the pacemaker function. If you are using electrical equipment or working around running motors and you become lightheaded or feel palpitations, turn the equipment off or walk away from it. Normal pacemaker function should resume.

It is important to notify all of your doctors that you have a pacemaker. If there are any questions concerning specific tests we can provide you with further information.

Follow-up Care
After your pacemaker is implanted, you will be followed closely by your doctor to assure that it is working properly. Your follow-up care will be managed through the pacemaker clinic. The pacemaker may be re-programmed to fit your needs; examining and adjusting the pacemaker is quick and painless. Your pacemaker will last up to 10 years (this varies according to how often it is used and how it is programmed). Part of your follow-up involves checking the battery life of your device. It is very important that you keep your appointments.

Follow-up Appointments
One week after your surgery, you will need to come back to the hospital for wound check.

For your follow-up appointment, check in at the Cardiology desk (Galter Pavilion, 675 N. St. Clair, 19th floor, Suite 100).

The visit will take approximately 15 minutes. The doctors may also decide to get a chest X-ray.

For the first few months you must have your pacemaker checked over the telephone. Depending on the type of pacemaker, you will be given the needed equipment and instructions. The pacemaker check will be every two weeks for the first three months. If your pacemaker is not checked by phone, you will come to the Pacemaker Clinic in one month. All pacemakers will be checked at three months at the Pacemaker Clinic (Galter Pavilion, 675 N. St. Clair, 19th floor, Suite 100), (312) 695-8663. After this visit, you will be seen once every six months in the pacemaker clinic.

Contact
Pacemaker Clinic
(312) 695-8663


Review Date: 12/04