Here are a few things you can do to live well with a pacemaker.
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 will:
In between checkups, you may send information from your pacemaker to your doctor. You might do this manually, or your device might do it automatically. Your doctor will give you instructions about how to do this.
Some pacemakers have an alarm system. The alarm means that your doctor needs to check something on your pacemaker. Your doctor can tell you what your alarm will sound like or feel like. You might hear beeping or feel a vibration. Call your doctor right away if you hear or feel an alarm.
The medicines work with your pacemaker to help your heart keep a steady rhythm.
You can drive if you have a pacemaker and you don't have any symptoms such as fainting. But right after you get a pacemaker, your doctor may ask you to not drive for several days after the device is implanted.
You can travel safely with a pacemaker. But you'll want to be prepared before you go.
Many medical tests and procedures won't affect your pacemaker. But some procedures include electromagnetic fields that could affect how your pacemaker works. To be safe:
Talk with your doctor about the type and amount of exercise and other activities that are safe for you.
Most people who have a pacemaker can have an active sex life. After you get the device placed, you'll let your chest heal for a short time before having sex again. If your doctor says that you can exercise and be active, then it's probably safe for you to have sex.
In an advance directive, include plans for your pacemaker. You can make the decision to turn off your pacemaker as part of the medical treatment you want at the end of life.
Some electric devices have a strong electromagnetic field. This field can keep your pacemaker from working right for a short time. These devices are in your home, garage, workplace, and hospital.
Your doctor or the manufacturer of your pacemaker can give you a full list of what you need to avoid and what you need to keep a short distance away from your pacemaker.
Here are some examples.
Avoid devices with strong electromagnetic fields, such as:
Keep your pacemaker at least 2 ft (0.6 m) away from:
Keep your pacemaker at least 12 in. (30 cm) away from:
Keep your pacemaker at least 6 in. (15 cm) away from:
Do not stand near:
Call your doctor now if you have symptoms that could mean your device isn't working properly. These symptoms include the following:
Call your doctor now if you think you have an infection near your device. Signs of an infection include:
Current as of: January 10, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & John M. Miller MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
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