Lake Champlain Cardiology Associates
52 Tom Miller Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901  (518) 563-2404
www.lccahearts.com

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device that helps the heart beat in a regular rhythm.  It does this with a small electric stimulation that helps control your heartbeat.  The pacemaker is implanted under the skin on your chest, just under your collarbone.  It’s hooked up to your heart with tiny wires.

Reasons for a Pacemaker

  1. Your heart beats too slowly
  2. Your heart doesn’t beat regularly
  3. There’s a block in your heart’s electrical pathway

How it Works…

  1. A pacemaker uses batteries to send electric signals to your heart to help it pump the right way. 
  2. An electrical wire is placed in your heart.  Tiny electric charges that you can’t feel move through the wire to your heart.
  3. Pacemakers work only when needed.  They go on when your heartbeat is too slow. 

Living with a Pacemaker

  1. Call your doctor if you have trouble breathing, if you gain weight, or get puffy legs or ankles or if you faint, black out or get dizzy.
  2. Carry an ID card with you so others know you have a pacemaker
  3. Notify other doctors that you have a pacemaker – certain types of medical equipment may affect how a pacemaker works. 
  4. Notify airport security that you have a pacemaker.
  5. Microwaves, electric appliances, electric blankets, remote controls for TV, most office and light shop equipment WILL NOT affect your pacemaker. 
  6. Cell phones are OK to use but hold the phone to the ear on the side of your body opposite from your pacemaker.
  7. Most people with a pacemaker lead full lives. 
  8. Be sure to ask your doctor prior to doing strenuous physical activity.
  9. Power generating equipment, arc welding equipment and powerful magnets (including MRIs) should be avoided.

Preparation for Procedure:

  1. Before the procedure, you will have bloodwork, an EKG and chest x-ray done.  Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you, answer your questions and you will be asked to sign consent. 
  2. After midnight, the night before the test, you will not be allowed to eat or drink except for medications. 
  3. An area on both sides of your chest will be shaved and scrubbed with an antiseptic soap. 
  4. You will have an intravenous (IV) inserted in your arm.
  5. Antibiotics will be given to you in your intravenous just before the procedure to protect you against infection.

During the Procedure:

  1. You will have a heart monitor put on so your heart rate and rhythm can be monitored during the procedure.
  2. Your shoulder and chest area will be washed again with antiseptic soap.
  3. You will be given some oxygen through your nose and be asked to turn your head away from the side being used. 
  4. Medicine to help you relax may be given and the area where the pacemaker is being inserted will be numbed.
  5. The doctor will need to make a small incision to place the pacemaker lead into a large blood vessel that enters to your heart.
  6. An xray will take pictures to help the doctor guide the pacemaker wire into your heart.   
  7. You will hear the doctor asking the nurse for readings, settings and numbers to test the pacemaker function. 
  8. When the lead is in the correct place, a small pocket will be made under the skin where the pacemaker battery (pulse generator) will be placed.  The area will be stitched closed and a dressing will be placed over the incision.

 

After the Procedure

  1. For the next 48 hours, it is important that you do not use the arm on the side where the pacemaker was inserted. 
  2. Tenderness in the area of insertion is to be expected for a several days.

Call the Doctor if you experience:

  1. Recurrence of pre-pacemaker symptoms
  2. Swollen ankles
  3. Redness, swelling or drainage at the incision
  4. Fever
  5. Fainting, dizziness
  6. Excessive hiccupping
  7. Chest pain
  8. Muscle twitching
  9. Shortness of breath

Follow Up

  1. Your stitches will not need to be removed – they will dissolve slowly.  Keep the area clean and dry.
  2. You may operate any of the electrical equipment in your home without any problems.
  3. You may walk through metal screening devices in airports – they will not affect your pacemaker, however, they may trigger a security alarm. 
  4. Your pacemaker will need to be checked on a regular basis.