It didn't answer any of my questions. I still don't know what to do next. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Patient Education. Pacemaker Failure Pacemakers are reliable life-saving devices. Some reasons you may have a pacemaker are to Help increase your heart rate if it is too slow Address problems with the electrical system within in the heart resulting in heart block Improve heart failure when there is evidence of both heart muscle damage and problems with the electrical system of the heart.
Slow a fast, irregular heart rate that required medicine or procedures leading to a heart rate that is too slow Each of the above problems typically causes you to feel symptoms. Signs and symptoms of pacemaker failure or malfunction include: Dizziness, lightheadedness Fainting or loss of consciousness Palpitations Hard time breathing Slow or fast heart rate, or a combination of both Constant twitching of muscles in the chest or abdomen Frequent hiccups A complete failure of a modern pacemaker is rare.
Causes for a pacemaker failure include: Battery depletion Loose or broken wire between the pacemaker and the heart Electronic circuit failure resulting from a break in wire insulation or a fracture in the wire Electrolyte abnormality such as high potassium in the blood Electromagnetic interference from certain devices such as power generators, arc welders, and powerful magnets found in medical devices, heavy equipment, and motors A pacemaker lead getting pulled out of position A change in your condition that needs pacemaker reprogramming Common household devices, such as microwave ovens, TV remotes, heating pads, and electric blankets don't interfere with pacemakers.
Home care The following are general care guidelines: Don't push, pull, or twist the pulse generator unit placed under your skin.
Follow-up care Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised. When to seek emergent care You may need to seek emergent care or call if you have any of the following: Trouble breathing Fainting or loss of consciousness Chest pain Frequent or persistent palpitations the sense that your heart is fluttering or beating fast or hard or irregularly Slower than usual heart rate compared to your normal Chest pain with weakness, dizziness, fainting, heavy sweating, nausea, or vomiting Extreme drowsiness, confusion It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms may be a result of a problem with your pacemaker.
When to seek medical advice Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur: New symptoms of weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness Pain, redness, swelling, drainage from pacemaker implant site or other signs of infection Fever of Yes No.
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Sometimes the placement of the ICD wires can stimulate nerves that cause the diaphragm to twitch of the diaphragm and nonstop hiccups or twitching of the chest muscles.
If this happens, call your healthcare provider. When you have a pacemaker implanted, stay away from devices with large magnets or magnetic fields that can be created from motors of cars or boats. An MRI is a diagnostic imaging tool used to take images of your body using magnets.
Some pacemaker and ICD devices are approved to have an MRI but always talk with your provider before having this test to make sure it is safe for you. Magnetic fields can be created by other machines which could affect the normal function of your device. Avoid high-voltage radar machines, such as radio or T. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. Do pacemakers or ICDs need to be adjusted periodically? When replacing a pacemaker or ICD, are the leads also replaced?
When do I have to replace my pacemaker or ICD? Can I travel with my pacemaker or ICD? Can I exercise with a pacemaker?
Will I feel the pacemaker or ICD? A pacemaker may be implanted permanently to correct a chronic slow or irregular heartbeat or to help treat heart failure. The heart's natural pacemaker — the sinus node — produces electrical signals that prompt your heart to beat. The heart is a muscular, fist-sized pump with four chambers, two on the left side and two on the right. The upper chambers right and left atria and the lower chambers right and left ventricles work with your heart's electrical system to keep your heart beating at an appropriate rate — usually 60 to beats a minute for adults at rest.
Your heart's electrical system controls your heartbeat, beginning in a group of cells at the top of the heart sinus node and spreading to the bottom, causing it to contract and pump blood.
Aging, heart muscle damage from a heart attack, some medications and certain genetic conditions can cause an abnormal heart rhythm. A pacemaker is a device used to control an abnormal heart rhythm. Depending on your condition, you may have a pacemaker with 1 to 3 flexible, insulated wires leads placed in one or more chambers of your heart. These wires deliver the electrical pulses to adjust your heart rate.
However, some newer pacemakers don't require leads. Pacemakers work only when needed. If your heartbeat is too slow bradycardia , the pacemaker sends electrical signals to your heart to correct the beat.
Some newer pacemakers also have sensors that detect body motion or breathing rate and signal the devices to increase heart rate during exercise, as needed. Complications related to pacemaker surgery or having a pacemaker are uncommon, but could include:. Before your doctor decides if you need a pacemaker, you'll have several tests done to find the cause of your irregular heartbeat.
Tests done before you get a pacemaker could include:. You'll likely be awake during the surgery to implant the pacemaker, which typically takes a few hours. A specialist will insert an IV into your forearm or hand and give you a medication called a sedative to help you relax. Your chest is cleaned with special soap. Most pacemaker implantations are done using local anesthesia to numb the area of the incisions.
However, the amount of sedation needed for the procedure depends on your specific health conditions. You may be fully awake or lightly sedated, or you may be given general anesthesia fully asleep.
One or more wires are inserted into a major vein under or near your collarbone and guided to your heart using X-ray images. One end of each wire is secured at the appropriate position in your heart, while the other end is attached to the pulse generator, which is usually implanted under the skin beneath your collarbone. A leadless pacemaker is smaller and typically requires a less invasive surgery to implant the device.
The pulse generator and other pacemaker parts are contained in a single capsule. The doctor inserts a flexible sheath catheter in a vein in the groin and then guides the single component pacemaker through the catheter to the proper position in the heart.
You'll likely stay in the hospital for a day after having a pacemaker implanted. Your pacemaker will be programmed to fit your heart rhythm needs. You'll need to arrange to have someone drive you home from the hospital.
Your doctor might recommend that you avoid vigorous exercise or heavy lifting for about a month. Avoid putting pressure on the area where the pacemaker was implanted.
If you have pain in that area, ask your doctor about taking medicines available without a prescription, such as acetaminophen Tylenol, others or ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others. It's unlikely that your pacemaker would stop working properly because of electrical interference.
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