In the past, when people were told they had heart issues, they would go home and write out their will, sure that it meant they were halfway to the grave. Then medical technology took off in a big way, and is improving everyday. Now, with the help of a pacemaker, some issues can be dealt with so that you can live a normal, healthy life for years to come.
To really understand why people even need pacemakers in the first place, you have to understand how the human heart works. Your heart keeps blood pumping throughout your body, and every heartbeat sends electrical signals to do this. If these signals become weak or stop altogether, it could be serious or even fatal.
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.
An echocardiography, also called an echo for short, involves using waves of sound to record the functions and flow. It also measures the shape and size or everything, including the chambers and valves and makes sure they are working properly.
For patients who are still active and can run on a treadmill, they may ask them to do so with sensors attached, also called a stress test. For those who cannot run because of fatigue, they can drink medicine that increases heart rate for a similar effect.
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.
You will have to stay at least one day and night so the staff can keep an eye on you and make sure you do not get an infection or that the device does not malfunction. You may experience some pain and tenderness in the incision area, but nothing that some over the counter medicine cannot help. You should scale back work and other activities for at least a month as your body adjusts.
Once you have the device installed, you should try to avoid prolonged use of electrical devices, or those with a strong magnetic impulse or field. This includes cell phones and microwave ovens, two things most people cannot live without. You can, however, use a cell phone, just use it on the opposite ear from where your device was installed, or use speaker phone.
To really understand why people even need pacemakers in the first place, you have to understand how the human heart works. Your heart keeps blood pumping throughout your body, and every heartbeat sends electrical signals to do this. If these signals become weak or stop altogether, it could be serious or even fatal.
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.
An echocardiography, also called an echo for short, involves using waves of sound to record the functions and flow. It also measures the shape and size or everything, including the chambers and valves and makes sure they are working properly.
For patients who are still active and can run on a treadmill, they may ask them to do so with sensors attached, also called a stress test. For those who cannot run because of fatigue, they can drink medicine that increases heart rate for a similar effect.
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.
You will have to stay at least one day and night so the staff can keep an eye on you and make sure you do not get an infection or that the device does not malfunction. You may experience some pain and tenderness in the incision area, but nothing that some over the counter medicine cannot help. You should scale back work and other activities for at least a month as your body adjusts.
Once you have the device installed, you should try to avoid prolonged use of electrical devices, or those with a strong magnetic impulse or field. This includes cell phones and microwave ovens, two things most people cannot live without. You can, however, use a cell phone, just use it on the opposite ear from where your device was installed, or use speaker phone.
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