There was a time in the past when heart problems meant that your entire life would change, and you may have severe limitations on your diet and activities. Luckily, with today's stellar medical technology improving all the time, a heart condition does not have to mean impending doom. With a pacemaker, you are able to live a much more normal life.
For a person to truly understand pacemakers, they need to know at least the simplest inner workings of the heart. Basically, it uses electrical pulses to pump blood through all your veins so that all the rest of your body parts function properly. If these signals are interrupted or stop working at their regular pace, it could mean big health troubles.
Pacemakers are usually used to correct an arrhythmia, which is an abnormal heartbeat rate or pace. It could leave to intermittent or even chronic fatigue or fainting, which could take a serious toll on your health. In fact, it could be deadly if left untreated, because it can cause blood flow to slow or stop to the major organs, which results in organ failure.
Any doctor who sees a patient who has the telltale signs of an arrhythmia will have tests run to see if their suspicions are correct. This may mean an EKG, which is quick and painless for the patient, which is why it is so commonly done. The doctor gets a recording of all electrical action in the heart.
The Echo, or echocardiography, is another test the doctor may run. This one uses uses sound waves to take a measurement of the size and shape of the heart, as well as a snapshot of the blood flow and function as well.
A stress test is done on people who are strong enough to exercise. They are fitted with sensors that record their heartbeat while working out, usually on a treadmill. You might also be given a special medicine cocktail to raise the beat and perform the test.
The surgery required should the tests prove you need the device is in two parts. The first puts wires into your heart tissue, and requires an incision near the shoulder. The second incision is where the box and battery goes, near the chest area. The wires are connected to the box to make a complete circuit to help regulate the heartbeat.
The staff will insist that you stay overnight so they can keep an eye on the incision and your temperature to ensure you do not get a dangerous infection. They will also advise that you stay in bed or take it easy for a month or longer after the surgery so that your body and your heart recover properly.
Another thing to look out for is anything with a magnetic field or electrical devices, as they could interfere with the operation of your new device. This includes cell phones, so try to use speakerphone when you can and do not put it in your shirt pocket or near where the device is implanted in order to stave off any adverse effects. Just remember to do what your doctor tells you and you are on your way to a better life.
For a person to truly understand pacemakers, they need to know at least the simplest inner workings of the heart. Basically, it uses electrical pulses to pump blood through all your veins so that all the rest of your body parts function properly. If these signals are interrupted or stop working at their regular pace, it could mean big health troubles.
Pacemakers are usually used to correct an arrhythmia, which is an abnormal heartbeat rate or pace. It could leave to intermittent or even chronic fatigue or fainting, which could take a serious toll on your health. In fact, it could be deadly if left untreated, because it can cause blood flow to slow or stop to the major organs, which results in organ failure.
Any doctor who sees a patient who has the telltale signs of an arrhythmia will have tests run to see if their suspicions are correct. This may mean an EKG, which is quick and painless for the patient, which is why it is so commonly done. The doctor gets a recording of all electrical action in the heart.
The Echo, or echocardiography, is another test the doctor may run. This one uses uses sound waves to take a measurement of the size and shape of the heart, as well as a snapshot of the blood flow and function as well.
A stress test is done on people who are strong enough to exercise. They are fitted with sensors that record their heartbeat while working out, usually on a treadmill. You might also be given a special medicine cocktail to raise the beat and perform the test.
The surgery required should the tests prove you need the device is in two parts. The first puts wires into your heart tissue, and requires an incision near the shoulder. The second incision is where the box and battery goes, near the chest area. The wires are connected to the box to make a complete circuit to help regulate the heartbeat.
The staff will insist that you stay overnight so they can keep an eye on the incision and your temperature to ensure you do not get a dangerous infection. They will also advise that you stay in bed or take it easy for a month or longer after the surgery so that your body and your heart recover properly.
Another thing to look out for is anything with a magnetic field or electrical devices, as they could interfere with the operation of your new device. This includes cell phones, so try to use speakerphone when you can and do not put it in your shirt pocket or near where the device is implanted in order to stave off any adverse effects. Just remember to do what your doctor tells you and you are on your way to a better life.
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