I thought pacers batteries lasted 10 years

Aloha! I'm just became a member. I got my pacer (a.k.a little engine that could!) in 2009. Thought I was good for 10 yrs. now I've been told 6 mos to a yr! Is that because I'm paced 90% of the time? I have a nasty A-Fib. I love my pacer! Best surgery results ever! Take care fellow pacemaker clubbers! Mary Ann

3 Comments

Yep

by Good Dog - 2015-09-28 07:09:21

My current Medtronic dual chamber has lasted three months short of 12 years. I am getting a new one next week.
I am paced 95% of the time. I think that battery life also depends upon how many bells and whistles you are using. My PM is only using the basics. It is a no-frills model!

Best Wishes,

Dave

nope

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-28 12:09:50

They can sometimes last as long as 10+ years but the average is only about 7. I've been through 4 of them since 1994 and also have 6-12 months left on my current one. The good news is replacements are super easy so it won't slow you down.

Dave

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-29 12:09:57

You are correct, a lot affects how long the battery will last. How much we pace is only a small part of it. The bells and whistles, safety margins, condition of the leads, how much juice it takes to get the heart to respond, how big the battery was in the first place. I've elected to have a smaller device that may not last as long because it's less conspicuous.

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I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.