Why Do I Need A

Pacemaker?
Your doctor has determined that
you may need a pacemaker for
one of several reasons:

Your heart beats too slow or too

fast
There is a block in your hearts
electrical pathways
You have an abnormal heart
rhythm

other vital organs and may even

cause loss of consciousness or
death.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov

For more information, please

visit the following websites:

Always remember to speak with your

physician about any questions or
concerns you may have.

The American Heart

Association

Pacemaker
s

http://www.heart.org
or call: 1-800-AHA-USA-1
The National Institutes of Health

National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute

These problems with the rate and

rhythm are called arrhythmias.
During an arrhythmia, the heart
may not be able to pump enough
blood to the body. This can cause
symptoms such as feeling tired or
out of breath. If left untreated,
severe arrhythmias can damage

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
U.S. National Library of Medicine
From the National Institutes of
Health National Institutes of
Health

An informational guide brought to you by:

David OBrien, Stephanie Smith, Adam
Stotler, and Scott Weigand

Student Nurses at Cayuga Community

College

Pacemakers have been around

since the late 1950s and continue
to improve in both quality and
function.
Newer pacemakers weigh as little
as 1 ounce.

What is a Pacemaker?
A physician can surgically implant
a pacemaker, which is a device
inserted under the skin that
delivers an electrical impulse to
your heart to help regulate the
way your heart beats.

About the Procedure

You may be asked not to drink or eat
anything after midnight the night
before your procedure. Talk with your
doctor about which medications you
may take prior to surgery. All
medications should be taken with
small sips of water.
Your doctor or nurse will tell you
when to arrive at the hospital.
Consent will be obtained prior to
surgery.
Surgery to implant the pacemaker is
usually performed while you're
awake and typically takes a few
hours. You'll be given a sedative to
relax, and the area where your
pacemaker is inserted will be
numbed.

During surgery wires are inserted

into a major vein under or near your
collarbone and guided to your heart
with the help of X-ray images. One
end of each wire is secured to the
appropriate position in your heart,
while the other end is attached to the
pulse generator, which is usually
implanted under the skin beneath
your collarbone.
You will probably be able to go home
1 day after the procedure. You should
be able to return to your normal
activity level quickly.

What you should know

about having a
pacemaker
1. Talk with your doctor about
physical
limitations
after
surgery. You may be advised
not to lift anything heavier
than 10 - 15 pounds for 2 - 3
weeks. You may also be told
not to raise your arm above
your shoulder for 6 weeks.
2. Monitor your heart rate. If the
pulse is lower than the rate

set by the pacemaker, notify

your physician immediately.
3. Keep follow up appointments
with your doctor so to make
sure
your
pacemaker
continues to work effectively.
4. Avoid MRI diagnostic testing.
Speak with your doctor about
exposure
to
electronic

devices such as cell phones,

microwaves,
and
radar
detectors.

5. Wear a medical alert bracelet

or necklace at all times. Talk
with your doctor or nurse
about where to obtain these.