You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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6Your Summary |
This decision aid is NOT for people with heart failure. The decision for heart failure patients may involve a special type of pacemaker (cardiac resynchronization therapy) and may raise other issues to think about.
Pacemakers are small electrical devices that help control the timing of your heartbeat. The pacemaker sends out mild electrical pulses that keep your heart beating normally.
Most pacemakers are implanted under the skin of your chest wall. These pacemakers have wires that pass through a vein into the chambers of your heart. Some pacemakers are placed inside the heart and do not have wires.
There are different types of pacemakers, so your doctor will work with you to decide what kind will be best for you.
A pacemaker can help restore a normal heart rate when certain problems have damaged the heart's electrical system, which normally keeps your heart beating steadily. These problems include:
Pacemakers allow people to return to normal, active lives. Most people have very few limitations, if any.
Most pacemakers are surgically implanted under the skin of the chest.
The procedure to implant a pacemaker is considered minor surgery. It can usually be done using local anesthesia. Your doctor will make a small incision in your chest wall just below your collarbone. The doctor puts the leads in a vein and threads them to the heart. Then your doctor connects the leads to the pacemaker. Your doctor programs the pacemaker and then puts it in your chest and closes the incision. You may be able to see a little bump under the skin where the pacemaker is placed.
Some pacemakers don't have leads that connect to the heart. These leadless pacemakers are placed directly inside the heart.
To implant a leadless pacemaker, the doctor uses a thin tube called a catheter. The pacemaker is placed inside the catheter. He or she puts the catheter into a blood vessel in your groin. You will get a shot to numb the skin where the catheter goes in. Then the doctor moves the catheter through the blood vessel to a lower chamber of your heart. The doctor moves the pacemaker out of the catheter. He or she attaches the pacemaker to the heart tissue. Then the catheter is removed from your body.
Most people spend the night in the hospital, just to make sure that the device is working and that there are no problems from the surgery. But sometimes the procedure is done as an outpatient procedure, which means you don't need to stay overnight in the hospital.
There are several risks to getting a pacemaker. But risks vary for each person. And risks vary based on the type of pacemaker you get. The chance of most problems is low.
The procedure to implant a pacemaker is safe, and most people do well afterward. Afterward, you will see your doctor regularly to get your pacemaker checked and to make sure you don't have any problems.
During the procedure. If problems happen during the procedure, doctors likely can fix them right away. Examples include:
After the procedure. Problems after the procedure can be minor, like mild pain, or serious, like an infection. But your doctor can solve most of these problems. And most people do not have long-term issues with their pacemakers.
Problems include:
Daily precautions. You'll need to use certain electric devices with caution. Some electric devices have a strong electromagnetic field. This field can keep your pacemaker from working right for a short time. Check with your doctor about what you need to avoid and what you need to keep a short distance away from your pacemaker. Many household and office electronics do not affect your pacemaker.
Your doctor might recommend that you get a pacemaker if:
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What is usually involved? |
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What are the benefits? |
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What are the risks and side effects? |
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I have a hard time getting my chores done around the house or going grocery shopping. I get really short of breath after walking for a few minutes. My doctor says a pacemaker could help me feel better.
Jack, age 66
My doctor says my heart rate is slow. But I can still work and take my daily walks with no problem. I'm not ready to get a pacemaker. I'll keep taking my medicine and following my diet.
Serena, age 55
I get dizzy sometimes, and my doctor says I have a slow heart rate that could lead to serious problems. She says a pacemaker can help keep that from happening. It's minor surgery, so I'm choosing the pacemaker.
Shaun, age 75
I'm not very active, and I'm really afraid of surgery and of having something mechanical in my body. I don't want to get a pacemaker.
James, age 83
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to get a pacemaker
Reasons not to get a pacemaker
I want to feel better so that I can do my daily activities.
I'm not having too much trouble doing my daily activities.
I don't mind having a device in my body.
I don't like the idea of having a device in my body.
My medicines aren't controlling my symptoms anymore.
My symptoms aren't getting worse.
I'm not worried about risks from surgery, because they're small.
I don't want to take a chance that something could go wrong during surgery.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Getting a pacemaker
NOT getting a pacemaker
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Author | Healthwise Staff |
---|---|
Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | John M. Miller MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Heather Quinn MD - Family Medicine |
This decision aid is NOT for people with heart failure. The decision for heart failure patients may involve a special type of pacemaker (cardiac resynchronization therapy) and may raise other issues to think about.
Pacemakers are small electrical devices that help control the timing of your heartbeat. The pacemaker sends out mild electrical pulses that keep your heart beating normally.
Most pacemakers are implanted under the skin of your chest wall. These pacemakers have wires that pass through a vein into the chambers of your heart. Some pacemakers are placed inside the heart and do not have wires.
There are different types of pacemakers, so your doctor will work with you to decide what kind will be best for you.
A pacemaker can help restore a normal heart rate when certain problems have damaged the heart's electrical system , which normally keeps your heart beating steadily. These problems include:
Pacemakers allow people to return to normal, active lives. Most people have very few limitations, if any.
Most pacemakers are surgically implanted under the skin of the chest.
The procedure to implant a pacemaker is considered minor surgery. It can usually be done using local anesthesia. Your doctor will make a small incision in your chest wall just below your collarbone. The doctor puts the leads in a vein and threads them to the heart. Then your doctor connects the leads to the pacemaker. Your doctor programs the pacemaker and then puts it in your chest and closes the incision. You may be able to see a little bump under the skin where the pacemaker is placed.
Some pacemakers don't have leads that connect to the heart. These leadless pacemakers are placed directly inside the heart.
To implant a leadless pacemaker, the doctor uses a thin tube called a catheter. The pacemaker is placed inside the catheter. He or she puts the catheter into a blood vessel in your groin. You will get a shot to numb the skin where the catheter goes in. Then the doctor moves the catheter through the blood vessel to a lower chamber of your heart. The doctor moves the pacemaker out of the catheter. He or she attaches the pacemaker to the heart tissue. Then the catheter is removed from your body.
Most people spend the night in the hospital, just to make sure that the device is working and that there are no problems from the surgery. But sometimes the procedure is done as an outpatient procedure, which means you don't need to stay overnight in the hospital.
There are several risks to getting a pacemaker. But risks vary for each person. And risks vary based on the type of pacemaker you get. The chance of most problems is low.
The procedure to implant a pacemaker is safe, and most people do well afterward. Afterward, you will see your doctor regularly to get your pacemaker checked and to make sure you don't have any problems.
During the procedure. If problems happen during the procedure, doctors likely can fix them right away. Examples include:
After the procedure. Problems after the procedure can be minor, like mild pain, or serious, like an infection. But your doctor can solve most of these problems. And most people do not have long-term issues with their pacemakers.
Problems include:
Daily precautions. You'll need to use certain electric devices with caution. Some electric devices have a strong electromagnetic field. This field can keep your pacemaker from working right for a short time. Check with your doctor about what you need to avoid and what you need to keep a short distance away from your pacemaker. Many household and office electronics do not affect your pacemaker.
Your doctor might recommend that you get a pacemaker if:
Get a pacemaker | Don't get a pacemaker | |
---|---|---|
What is usually involved? |
|
|
What are the benefits? |
|
|
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I have a hard time getting my chores done around the house or going grocery shopping. I get really short of breath after walking for a few minutes. My doctor says a pacemaker could help me feel better."
— Jack, age 66
"My doctor says my heart rate is slow. But I can still work and take my daily walks with no problem. I'm not ready to get a pacemaker. I'll keep taking my medicine and following my diet."
— Serena, age 55
"I get dizzy sometimes, and my doctor says I have a slow heart rate that could lead to serious problems. She says a pacemaker can help keep that from happening. It's minor surgery, so I'm choosing the pacemaker."
— Shaun, age 75
"I'm not very active, and I'm really afraid of surgery and of having something mechanical in my body. I don't want to get a pacemaker."
— James, age 83
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to get a pacemaker
Reasons not to get a pacemaker
I want to feel better so that I can do my daily activities.
I'm not having too much trouble doing my daily activities.
I don't mind having a device in my body.
I don't like the idea of having a device in my body.
My medicines aren't controlling my symptoms anymore.
My symptoms aren't getting worse.
I'm not worried about risks from surgery, because they're small.
I don't want to take a chance that something could go wrong during surgery.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Getting a pacemaker
NOT getting a pacemaker
1. If I get a pacemaker, I still need to follow a healthy lifestyle.
2. I don't need a pacemaker if I don't have any symptoms.
3. A pacemaker may help symptoms caused by my heart rate problem.
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
By | Healthwise Staff |
---|---|
Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | John M. Miller MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Heather Quinn MD - Family Medicine |
Current as of: August 31, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & John M. Miller MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Caroline S. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine & Heather Quinn MD - Family Medicine
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