Pacemaker

Visgir1

Yes I have one also I'm an NHS Cardiac Physiologist, I now just specialise in Pacing /Devices patients and run the 1st checks via Home Monitoring.

This is what we do, most Hospitals work in the similar way as its a National standard.

It's quite a quick procedure, in my Hospital your only in hospital around half a day.
You will only be given a local to the area where the incision is made, wires are fed into the Right side of your heart, tested to ensure Capture at the lowest point, when all stable "Bob's your Uncle" done!
Doctor stitches you up with dissolvable stitches. Back to the ward for a few hours, you will get a Chest XR, then Device tested by a Cardiac Physiologist from Pacing team. They okay everything is stable, give you all your information, the Xray is checked if all stable the nurses plan for your discharge.

You are checked at 6 weeks to ensure nothing has moved, and setting are good.
If all good, we/I would give you a Year Follow up appointment. Unless we want you to see a Doctor, you will probably never see one again for Pacing., only when you needs a new one, we manage everything.

You will feel so much better, no slow Heart Rates.

The Pacemaker will last about 14 - 15 years.

The Pacing team will tell you everything you need to know, just ask. If your Hospital has Home monitoring this is a game changer. My Trust was one of the first to implement it around 15 years ago patients love it.
Best of luck and enjoy getting back to Normal

That's interesting about it lasting 14 - 15 years. My mum is nearly 102 and has had one for nearly 10yrs. The hospital tell us the battery is working at 60% capacity but still wanted her to go in this month for a new battery. I'm inclined to think she should wait until it really needs doing as even though it's not invasive I do worry about my mum being able to cope at her age.

No one told DH to avoid microwave ovens, or induction hobs.

I have checked the booklet he was given when he was referred to the heart failure clinic and it says nothing there either.

I had one fitted a couple of weeks ago also after being 'blued and twoed' to hospital with heart block. I'd already had a triple by pass and two valves replaced 7 years ag o. So far no problems. I was kept in for a week and have twice daily carers to help with dressing and showering, for six weeks. I live alone.

HiMay

PS When I had an MRI last year the pacemaker had to be disabled first, then started again afterwards
Got rid of induction hob and microwave, but I think others continue to use them without any ill effects (stay a certain distance away when in operation)

Well, I thought DH might think he had to keep away from an induction hob and never do any more cooking.

PS When I had an MRI last year the pacemaker had to be disabled first, then started again afterwards
Got rid of induction hob and microwave, but I think others continue to use them without any ill effects (stay a certain distance away when in operation)

Similar issue to yours. Pacemaker is great. No trouble having it implanted and never think about it! Wishing you all the best for the procedure

Whitewavemark2

DH has never bothered about the induction hob or microwave.

Hospital sorts out scans etc.

My sons both have pacemakers.
The one in America has an induction hob. He was told not to "lie on it".
The one in the UK was advised that it "might not be a good idea" to wear a heated gilet because of the battery pack.
Both were told not to carry their phones in a breast pocket.

The both tell the scanner people at airports and get patted down etc - although I did read recently that you are OK if you go through quickly!

My Dad had walked to his surgery one day to order his routine prescription. He must have looked unwell because they checked his pulse: 35...

Sent straight to hospital by taxi (quickest way) and admitted.
CRT pacemaker fitted.

As others have said he needed help with showering and dressing for a time, he wasn't allowed to raise his arm until the wires had bedded in.

He has a monitor by the bed.
Once a year he has a remote check-up when the data is downloaded overnight, and in between he has an annual face-to-face hospital check-up.

He's better sitting behind the driver in a car, if he sits in the front passenger seat the seatbelt over his left shoulder rubs on the pacemaker which is quite prominent under the skin.

Apart from that it's been problem-free, he had it fitted in December 2018 and he's 94 this month 🙂

Best wishes for your operation Luckygirl3

DH had one inserted last year, it was emergency.It was inserted within 2 days of him being blued and twoed to hospital.

For it to really be effective it has to be part of an integrated care regime, and it took several more emergencies, around clueless A&E depts before he was taken to Cardiac A&E and referred to a heart failure team who pulled all his problems together, rationalised his medication and began to check on him regularly. ASk whether your cardiac dept has a heart failure clinic and then get referred to it.

I had a pacemaker fitted 18 months ago,out of the blue ,no previous heart symptoms.No problem for the first 15 months then appointment at pacing clinic showed 95% pacing which was far too high.
Am now waiting for biventricular model to be fitted hopefully in next few weeks.
You won't be able to raise your left arm above shoulder level for four to six weeks after surgery.
Hope everything goes OK for you. Best wishes.

I had one fitted in 2019. No problems so far with it. I get monitored once a year. No problems now at most airports. I was taken into hospital on a routine appointment for breathlessness during the winter which I had put down to bronchitis. I was told by consultant it was my heart. He wouldn't let me go home. I was in almost a week because every time they had a slot an emergency came in and I was kicked down the queue. On the day I got it I was out within a few hours. Just as well, bed-wise, it was pre Covid.

Only thing at are a No no are Arc Welding, and very deep diving.
I'll warn DH!!

I still use an induction hob
DH has never bothered about the induction hob or microwave.

There were warnings online so we chose a new gas hob instead. An induction hub would be so much easier to clean! At least if we havs a power cut we can still cook.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/induction-hobs-and-pacemakers#:~:text=Pacemakers%20are%20small%20electrical%20devices,the%20stovetop%20and%20your%20pacemaker.

BTW.. All Pacemakers tend to be MRI compatible, Induction Hobs are a iffy depends how close you get to the magnet field especially if your not very tall. Microwave are fine. Airport scanners in the UK are OK but wave them your Registration Card, not all countries have that Technology.
Only thing at are a No no are Arc Welding, and very deep diving.
However if it says on the product not suitable for People with Pacemakers, it mainly a safety precaution by the Company as the testing hasn't been undertaken.
What happens it the Pacemaker goes back to Factory settings.

I had one fitted in May of last year. I've got Atrial flutter and my resting heart rate was too low to treat my AFl with enough beta blocker. I think we are similar medically.
It was a pretty straightforward process having it inserted and I healed quickly. I'm a bit bony and the actual pacemaker sits very close to my collar bone, tbh it took a bit of time to bed in and for me to be comfortable lying down but it's OK now. I've felt a lot better since having it in as they were able to give me more medication.
It is a nuisance but you do need to limit your movements for about six weeks (I think) to allow the wires to settle but I was still able to wash and dry my hair (with care). My pm does interfer with some bra straps but I went to a good lingerie shop and found a make that was really comfortable. We are all different so you might be fine.
I still use an induction hob, just told not to hover over it and I use my mobile and cordless phone on the opposite side to the pm, also only use one ear bud . I'm super careful as I'm waiting to have an AV node ablation which means I will be reliant on the pc to keep my heart beating so don't want to take any risks of interference! After my initial check I was given a home monitor so I don't even have to go into hospital to have it checked as it's all done remotely.I hope it all goes well for you. Absolutely not reason to think otherwise but please feel free to message me if you want any other info.

DH has never bothered about the induction hob or microwave.

Hospital sorts out scans etc.

Yes I have one also I'm an NHS Cardiac Physiologist, I now just specialise in Pacing /Devices patients and run the 1st checks via Home Monitoring.

This is what we do, most Hospitals work in the similar way as its a National standard.

It's quite a quick procedure, in my Hospital your only in hospital around half a day.
You will only be given a local to the area where the incision is made, wires are fed into the Right side of your heart, tested to ensure Capture at the lowest point, when all stable "Bob's your Uncle" done!
Doctor stitches you up with dissolvable stitches. Back to the ward for a few hours, you will get a Chest XR, then Device tested by a Cardiac Physiologist from Pacing team. They okay everything is stable, give you all your information, the Xray is checked if all stable the nurses plan for your discharge.

You are checked at 6 weeks to ensure nothing has moved, and setting are good.
If all good, we/I would give you a Year Follow up appointment. Unless we want you to see a Doctor, you will probably never see one again for Pacing., only when you needs a new one, we manage everything.

You will feel so much better, no slow Heart Rates.

The Pacemaker will last about 14 - 15 years.

The Pacing team will tell you everything you need to know, just ask. If your Hospital has Home monitoring this is a game changer. My Trust was one of the first to implement it around 15 years ago patients love it.
Best of luck and enjoy getting back to Normal

Oh, and a checkup by a technician annually.

Yes, DH had to have one; he'd gone into hospital for an unrelated problem but they wouldn't let him out until he had a pacemaker fitted.

No stretching up or strenuous activity for a few weeks afterwards. His arm swelled up for a while but has gone down again now.
Avoid magnetic devices eg scanners, induction hob, he was told to avoid standing near the microwave too.
He has to take a daily blood thinner.

Obviously not DH's problem but a front fastening bra might be easier to manage.

PS you will need someone to take you home and I think stay with you for a day or two.

Although when I went to pick DH up I spotted him striding along the road (well tottering really) about half a mile away from the hospital!

My DH is on his second one😊.

Procedure relatively straightforward. Anti-biotic drip in arm pre-being done. Operating theatre cold, they chat away whilst it’s being done Local anaesthetic - takes about half an hour, cup of tea and a sandwich. Came home with a spare dressing, scar gradually calms down..

Since DH has had it done, he hasn’t had a single fainting fit, although according to the computer it has activated a few times, completely un-be-known to DH.

Has a monitor by his bed.

DH said a bra may be difficult initially, but I’m sure that will be the least if your problems!

Any other questions😊?