Hi.
My father-in-law has been told by his Dr. that he needs a pacemaker.
He is very nervous about the whole idea. I believe some of his
nervousness may be misplaced and I would like to have some concrete
information to pass along to allay his fears.
Some of the things he is worried about include:
1) How big of an operation is it to install the pacemaker?
2) How often and how involved is pacemaker maintenance? How long does a
pacemaker last?
3) What precautions does one have to take with a pacemaker? (microwaves,
airport security, cell phones, swimming (in China, he was told that if
he got a pacemaker, he couldn’t touch water???).
Can anyone provide me with answers to these questions or at least point
me in the right direction (any web sites, etc?).
Thank you in advance.
Melinda
.
In article <3435520B.7…@capital.net>, har…@capital.net wrote:
You came to the right place. I believe there are a number of pacemaker
literate people that frequent this NG.
> My father-in-law has been told by his Dr. that he needs a pacemaker.
>He is very nervous about the whole idea. I believe some of his
>nervousness may be misplaced and I would like to have some concrete
>information to pass along to allay his fears.
>Some of the things he is worried about include:
>1) How big of an operation is it to install the pacemaker?
Your father-in-law needn’t worry too much. This is a relatively minor
procedure. In some areas it is being done on an outpatient basis. I work
with one doctor that does the implant in the morning and the patient is home
by 2:00 or 3:00 that afternoon.
>2) How often and how involved is pacemaker maintenance? How long does a
>pacemaker last?
There is no maintenance to a pacemaker but it does need to be checked
periodically. Follow-up schedules vary by physician and by whether the
pacemaker is dual chamber or single chamber. My normal recommendation for a
new pacer implant is a 3 month cycle. If the pacer is a dual chamber, we
alternate – one 3 month visit in the office and the next over the phone. If
the pacer is a single chamber, we do only one office visit a year while the
other 3 checks are done over the phone. This pretty much follows medicare
guidelines.
There are a lot of variables that affect the longevity of the pacer. Any one
who says your pacemaker will last X number of years is simply exposing his
ignorance. I usually tell patients their pacers will last around 5 to 10
years but even with such a broad range, I sometimes miss it – in both
directions.
>3) What precautions does one have to take with a pacemaker? (microwaves,
>airport security, cell phones, swimming (in China, he was told that if
>he got a pacemaker, he couldn’t touch water???).
After everything heals, there are very precautions needed. Microwaves do not
affect any currently manufactured pacemaker that I know of. Studies have been
published showing that airport security does not affect pacemakers. People
with pacemakers swim, snorkle, scuba dive, and even bathe occasionally – with
no ill effects.
Cell phones are not so clear cut. Studies have shown that SOME pacemakers
are affected by SOME phones. This has usually been minimal and only causes
problems when the phone is INCHES away from the pacemaker but you would be
better off checking with the manufacturer of the particular brand of pacemaker
your father-in-law will be receiving.
There are some other things that MIGHT affect a pacemaker. Anything which
puts out a large electromagnetic field has the potential to inhibit a
pacemaker. The best example I can think of is an arc welder. A pacemaker
patient should generally not be around these devices. I also suggest that
patients not get close to the ignition wires of engines. By this I mean
leaning over the engine such the the pacemaker is in close proximity to the
spark plug wires or coil. This COULD cause problems.
You might notice that I used the terms COULD, MIGHT, etc. a lot. This is one
area where YMMV holds true. Every patient is different – and many pacemakers
are different. Your doctor – in conjuction with the pacemaker company
representative – is the best source of information relating to your
father-in-law and his potential pacemaker.
None of the information given above should be construed as medical advice.
This is simply technical information related to the operation of a
pacemaker. Your physician is the only place to go to get medical advice.
I hope this helps. If you need more info, please feel free to ask.
Steve
Its not a big operation so dont worry. Im 35 and on my second pace maker. It
took only an hour to put the first one in, youll be awake im sure, and wont
feel a thing. Maintenace is nothing, but geting checked every six months.
there will be some ajusting the first few weeks. And let your DR. know if you
get the hickups,or a jumping in the lower right side of your stomatch. The
pace maker that I have should last 12 yrs. I can get next to my microwave,
while talking on a cell phone. I cant get around ark welders ( the big ones)
or any big magnets like in a junkyard. I also get wet all the time, It will
take a little time to get use to it, but after a few months , you wont even
know its there. Signed: Dan
Ad 1: It takes about an hour to implant a pacemaker and to control it’s
funtion. It can be done in local anesthesia.
Ad 2: Depends on the time it is active. About 10 years.
Ad 3: Don’t know exactly.
B. Steffen, physician, switzerland
Hi Melinda
check out my site at http://cardiology.miningco.com
go to "previous features" and you will see something on pacemakers from August 1997 with plenty of
links
Dr Declan O’Kane