What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a device that monitors your heart rate using implanted sensors. When the sensors detect an abnormal heart rhythm, the pacemaker restores a normal beat by sending a small electrical pulse to your heart.
What conditions does a pacemaker treat?
The heart conditions that commonly need a pacemaker include:
- Bradycardia (a slow heartbeat)
- Atrial fibrillation (an irregular and rapid heartbeat)
- Heart failure (heart can’t pump enough blood)
- Cardiomyopathy (enlarged or thickened heart muscle)
- Conduction disorders (problems with the heart’s electrical system)
Some people need a pacemaker after a heart attack.
What symptoms might indicate I need a pacemaker?
If you have one of the heart conditions in the above list, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fluttering in your chest
- Racing heartbeat
- Abdominal bloating
- Swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet
An arrhythmia that causes a slow heartbeat can also lead to syncope or fainting.
What are the different types of pacemakers?
Some patients may be good candidates for a wireless pacemaker. This type consists of one tiny unit that your provider places into your heart.
Most pacemakers, however, consist of a small pulse generator and one or more lead wires connecting the generator to your heart. Your provider at Trident Cardiology Associates, PA, implants the generator under the skin near your heart and guides the wires into your heart.
The number of wires and where your provider places them depends on the type of pacemaker needed for your heart condition.
There are three types of pacemakers:
Single-chamber pacemaker
This pacemaker has one wire that your provider places in the upper or lower chamber on the right side of your heart.
Dual-chamber pacemaker
The dual-chamber pacemaker has two wires that your provider places in the upper and lower chambers on the right side of your heart.
Biventricular pacemaker
This type has three wires. Your provider puts them in the upper right chamber and the lower chambers on the left and right side.
What happens after pacemaker implantation?
After your provider implants the pacemaker, they program it and then arrange for remote monitoring. You need to schedule a time and manually send information from your pacemaker to the office. The information allows your provider to monitor your heart and make sure the device is working properly.
To learn if you’re a good candidate for a pacemaker, call Trident Cardiology Associates, PA, or schedule an appointment online today.
