Pacemaker

What is a pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a medical device implanted in your chest to help regulate your heartbeat. In order to get a pacemaker, you must undergo surgery. Once in place, your pacemaker sends electrical signals to help your heart beat at a normal rate. With a pacemaker, you may be able to live a more active lifestyle than you did without one. Pacemakers can improve symptoms like fatigue and trouble breathing. 

Your pacemaker includes a battery, a generator, wires, and electrodes. The wires connect the generator to your heart, and the electrodes at the ends of the wires sense your heart’s rhythm. If the rhythm is imperfect, the generators send electrical impulses through the wires to regulate it. 

Your pacemaker also records information about your heartbeat. Dr. Yashar uses this information to make adjustments to your pacemaker to better treat your condition. 

Do I need a pacemaker?

You may need a pacemaker if you have arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat: Your heartbeat might be too fast or too slow because of an underlying condition or because of medications you take to treat something else. Dr. Yashar might recommend a pacemaker to you if:

• Your heartbeat is slow after a heart attack
• Your heartbeat is slow after a medication overdose
• You take beta blockers
• You faint frequently
• Your heart muscles are weak
• You’ve had a heart transplant

Your pacemaker can help improve your energy and relieve symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. 

Will I need to change my lifestyle with a pacemaker?

Living with a pacemaker isn’t difficult, but you’ll need to make a few minor changes to your lifestyle to avoid interference or other complications. Though it’s unlikely that your pacemaker will stop working, you should:

• Avoid placing your mobile phone in your shirt pocket
• Walk through security systems and metal detectors quickly
• Stay at least two feet away from high-voltage equipment
• Report new or worsening symptoms associated with your heart condition
• Avoid contact sports

You should carry an ID card with you at all times to show that you have a pacemaker in situations where you need to be extra careful around electrical equipment and other devices. 

You should also tell all of your doctors, and medical providers about your pacemaker since medical equipment like computed tomography (CT) scanners and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines can interfere with it. 

To find out if you’re a candidate to get a pacemaker, call Payam R. Yashar, MD, or book an appointment online today.