THE PACEMAKER

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Trudi Caster
Stephanie Cimineri
Sarah Evans
Melanie Parton

THE HEART

A VITAL ORGAN RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPLYING

THE ENTIRE BODY WITH BLOOD AND OXYGEN

How It
Works:

Natural pace maker (SA node)

Electrical system within the heart creates the heart beat
Normal heart rate 60-100 beats per minute (BPM)
Less than 60 BPM is termed bradycardia

WHEN IS A PACEMAKER NECESSARY?

THE HEART RATE IS TOO SLOW

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BRADYCARDIA ARE PRESENT

MEDICATIONS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES ARE NOT EFFECTIVE

Signs and symptoms

Chest pain
Fainting spells (syncope)
Dizziness/light
headedness
Confusion/disorientation
Pale, cool skin
Weakness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath

CAUSES OF BRADYCARDIA
AGING
HEART DISEASE AND
PROGRESSION
SA/AV NODE DAMAGE
HYPOTHYROIDISM
PREVIOUS HEART ATTACK
ATHLETIC CONDITIONING
REST/SLEEPING

TESTS NEEDED BEFORE THE

PROCEDURE
Size and thickness of the
heart measured.
(Echocardiogram)
Electrical signals
measured. (ECG)
Heart rate tracked for 24
hours. (Holter Monitor)

PACEMAKER PREPARATION
Quick Procedure
An IV Inserted
Sedation is given
to help you relax
The area is
numbed

PROCEDURE
X-Ray Guided
Wires and Electrodes Placed
Pacemaker Box Placed
Test and Close

AFTER SURGERY

How long is my hospital stay?

Your doctor will decide what is best for

you but many patients leave in 24 hours

AFTER SURGERY

How long will I feel discomfort?

You may experience:

Swelling
Pain
Tenderness
Redness

AFTER SURGERY

What activities can I do when I

return home?
Most people can return to
normal activities within a few
days: cooking, desk work,
driving, grocery shopping

Your doctor may ask you to

avoid strenuous activity and
heavy lifting for about a
month.

AT HOME

How do I care for the incision?

Avoid getting site wet
Follow doctors instructions
Call your doctor for any signs of infection including:

Increased redness
Increased swelling
Change in color of arm or hand
Drainage
Fever and you do not have a cold or the flu

My life with a pacemaker

A pacemaker itself should not limit you from exercising.

Ask your doctor what activities are safe for your condition.

Pacemaker Safety
Stay away from :
large motors
welders
power generators
big concert speakers
large magnets, MRI machines
Dont stand
near or in
security
archways

You may
walk through
at a normal
pace.

What about smaller devices

like cell phones?
The latest evidence has shown that while
current cell phones are not a serious problem
for pacemakers, it is best to keep them 6
inches away. FDA recommends holding the
phone in the ear opposite the pacemaker and
not placing the phone in the chest pocket.

Keep 6 inches away

Never put a magnet near
your pacemaker.

Keep headphones off the

chest as well.

Remember: If youre not sure, ask your doctors office

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Who needs to know about my

pacemaker?

Doctors
Dentists
Emergency Workers (EMT)
Other health care professionals
Airport Security Persons (TSA agents)

Carry your pacemaker ID at all

Follow-up appointments are

extremely important.

Your pacemaker
will be checked to
see how well it is
working and check
the battery levels.

No matter how long youve

had your pacemaker , call
your doctor if :
You feel dizzy or short of breath.
You have symptoms like you had before you
pacemaker was put in
You have chest Pain
You faint or go unconscious for a moment
You have hiccups that do not go away
Your pulse is lower or higher than
recommended by your doctor

LETS REVIEW
5 Important Facts to Know Quiz
1. What is a pacemaker and where is it placed?
A pacemaker is an electronic device placed in the chest to control the heart rate.
2. Who needs to know about my pacemaker?
Doctors, Dentists. Other health care personnel, airport security agents.
3. When should I see my doctor?
It is very important to keep all follow up appointments. Call with any signs of
infection, chest pain, fainting, dizziness, shortness of breath, constant hiccups, or
irregular heartbeat.
4. To keep safe with a pacemaker, what should I avoid?
Avoid large magnets, running motors, welders, MRI, large speakers, big speakers
5. What should I always carry with me?
Carry your pacemaker ID at all times, it has important information.

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