Overview

A pacemaker is a small device that’s placed (implanted) in the chest to help control the heartbeat. It’s used to prevent the heart from beating too slowly. Implanting a pacemaker in the chest requires a surgical procedure.

A pacemaker is also called a cardiac pacing device.

Types

Depending on your condition, you might have one of the following types of pacemakers.

  • Single chamber pacemaker. This type usually carries electrical impulses to the right ventricle of your heart.
  • Dual chamber pacemaker. This type carries electrical impulses to the right ventricle and the right atrium of your heart to help control the timing of contractions between the two chambers.
  • Biventricular pacemaker. Biventricular pacing, also called cardiac resynchronization therapy, is for people who have heart failure and heartbeat problems. This type of pacemaker stimulates both of the lower heart chambers (the right and left ventricles) to make the heart beat more efficiently.

Why it’s done

A pacemaker is implanted to help control your heartbeat. Your doctor may recommend a temporary pacemaker when you have a slow heartbeat (bradycardia) after a heart attack, surgery or medication overdose but your heartbeat is otherwise expected to recover. A pacemaker may be implanted permanently to correct a chronic slow or irregular heartbeat or to help treat heart failure.

Results

Having a pacemaker should improve symptoms caused by a slow heartbeat such as fatigue, lightheadedness and fainting. Because most of today’s pacemakers automatically adjust the heart rate to match the level of physical activity, they may can allow you to resume a more active lifestyle.

Your doctor should check your pacemaker every 3 to 6 months. Tell your doctor if you gain weight, if your legs or ankles get puffy, or if you faint or get dizzy.

Most pacemakers can be checked by your doctor remotely, which means you don’t have to go into the doctor’s office. Your pacemaker sends information to your doctor, including your heart rate and rhythm, how your pacemaker is working, and how much battery life is left.

Your pacemaker’s battery should last 5 to 15 years. When the battery stops working, you’ll need surgery to replace it. The procedure to change your pacemaker’s battery is often quicker and requires less recovery time than the procedure to implant your pacemaker.

Consult a Cardiologist in India

Cost of Permanent Pacemaker Implant (Double Chamber) in India