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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
How can pacemaker help?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
How can pacemaker help?
by Lisa__0__0, Jun 07, 1998 12:00AM
I recently found out that I will soon get a pacemaker. Along with congestive
heart failure and atrial fibrillation, this news kinda overwhelmed me and
I didn't ask enough questions before I left the office. I'm getting the
pacemaker because my heart pauses 3 or 4 seconds between beats many times
a day (results for 24 hour holter monitor). The doctor did say it was a
single lead; but I want to know if the pacemaker will help my atrial
fibrallation? I hope there is enough info for an answer because like I said
I left the office in shock.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Jun 07, 1998 12:00AM
, Jun 07, 1998 12:00AMDear Lisa,
It is always a shock to get news that you didn’t expect and I hope I can fill in some of the blanks. In addition you should write down any questions you have and discuss them with your doctor when you see her next. All hearts have a "built-in pacemaker" that keeps time and tells the heart when to contract. As people age this natural pacemaker will sometimes wear down and not work properly. When this occurs doctors can implant an electronic artificial pacemaker under the skin with wires leading to the heart to tell it when to beat. It is an outpatient procedure and is done under local anesthesia. Depending on how much your heart depends on the pacemaker it will last for 3 to 7 years at which time it will need replaced. Pacemakers do not cause significant lifestyle changes (you can still use microwaves, go through airport security, etc.). Your doctor will check your pacemaker once or twice a year and this can often be done over the telephone. Potential complication from placing a pacemaker are bleeding or infection at the site of placement, collapse of the lung (pneumothorax), puncture of the heart (cardiac tamponade) and very rarely death. Most of the complications are rare and most people tolerate the procedure without any problems.
Pacemakers do not treat atrial fibrillation. Hope this answers some of your concerns. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor before proceeding with the pacemaker.
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist
