PACEMAKERS

An artificial pacemaker may be needed when the body's natural pacemaker is not sending proper signals to the heart muscle. An artificial pacemaker is a battery-operated machine that helps the heart muscle pump properly. Some pacemakers are permanently placed under the skin in the chest. Others are temporary and placed over the skin. Wires connect to the heart. One set of wires tells the pacemaker what the heart's contraction rate is. Another set of wires tells the heart to contract if the rate is too slow or too erratic.

An artificial pacemaker maintains the rhythm of the heart. It can be set to increase the heart rate or to slow it down. Most pacemakers have a sensing device that turns itself off when the heartbeat is above a certain level. It turns back on when the heartbeat is too slow. These are called demand pacemakers.

Pacemakers have allowed many patients who were affected by slow heartbeats to lead normal lives. The pacemaker battery usually lasts 4 to 12 years.

People who have a pacemaker need to be aware of their surroundings and the devices that may interfere with pulse generators:

Home appliances generally do not damage pacemaker pulse generators, change pacing rates, or totally inhibit pacemaker output. Most patients can use these household devices without worry about damage or interference with their pacemakers.
Power-generating equipment, arc welding equipment, and powerful magnets (as in medical devices, heavy equipment, or motors) are capable of inhibiting pulse generators.
Cellular phones that are less than 3 watts do not appear to damage pulse generators nor affect how the pacemaker works. Newer cellular phones using new frequencies might make pacemakers less reliable.
Medical equipment used by doctors and dentists can affect your pacemaker, so tell them you have one. Some of these include MRI, shock-wave kidney stone treatment, electrical nerve stimulation, and short-wave or microwave diathermy.

Be sure to carry a wallet ID card with you, if you have a pacemaker. For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association, call the national office at (800) 242-8721, or visit their website at www.americanheart.org. For information on patient support groups, call Mended Hearts, Inc. at (888) 432-7899 or visit their website at www.mendedhearts.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File CARD3036.RF2 VRS# 6153 Data Version 7.0