new pacemaker

OK, so I now have a pacemaker, I'm 64, not very happy about it but had low pulse 33 at times and doctor said it's a must soooo here I am, I have allot of questions but mainly in very concerned about what happens if your pacemaker malfunctions for one reason or another, do you die if you don't go to emergency room right away?

5 Comments

Trust

by Tracey_E - 2016-01-24 09:01:04

If it malfunctions, you're no worse off than you were without it. You'd return to your pre-paced rate until it's fixed. They do not malfunction! Worst case, something goes wrong and they switch to test mode which means it paces at a steady 60bpm. I don't know that I've ever heard of that happening to anyone here.

It's good to read up and be informed, but the internet can make us unnecessarily worried, also. In reality, complications from pacer surgeries happen in less than 4% of implants. When you read through here, you probably think it's more than half. For every one person here looking for answers, there are thousands out there getting on with their lives. Don't borrow trouble. Most people have the surgery, heal, and get on with their lives. Many get on with their lives feeling a whole lot better.

Normal lives

by Theknotguy - 2016-01-24 09:01:36

Know what you mean about getting a pacemaker. Was literally walking down the hiking trail with the dogs, next thing I know was waking up in the hospital. A lot of us get the pacemaker on short notice.

You have the 4-6 week period of healing post implant. Most get back to normal lives. A lot of us do better than our pre-pacemaker lives. We've got a steady and regular heartbeat which we didn't have before.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about pacemakers. A lot of warnings are just that - warnings. You don't have to worry about anything in a typical American house bothering your pacemaker. You don't have to worry about store security or anything you'll run into in the general public areas. Don't have to worry about cell phones, cell phone towers, TV towers and the like. Don't have to worry about airport security. I've even had a security guy use a wand on me without any problems.

For a lot of us the pacemaker is a tremendous help and doesn't cause any limitations on our lifestyle.

Hope everything continues to go well for you.

thank you

by ab1016 - 2016-01-25 01:01:59

Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate it very much as this is a scary thing for me right now, you all made me feel at ease. I'm hoping the more time that passes the more confidence I will have! Thanks again 😊

You'll be fine

by Grateful Heart - 2016-01-25 05:01:43


It's normal to have a lot of questions and "what if's". And it's good to ask. Knowledge is power.

Learn all you can about your device and condition and that will help to ease you mind.

Welcome to the club. These pacemakers are truly amazing.

Grateful Heart

Very Relaible

by PhilPace - 2016-01-25 07:01:52

It is so weird having a device inside your body. However when I read the reliability statistic it be more reliable than your heart at this point. I had complete AV block and got by OK for a week except I was breathless and dizzy. I think you would have time to get it fixed. If you have a remote reader they could check it immediately right from you home
Try to relax and get on with life then you will start to have days when you don't even think about it

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

Member Quotes

I am a competitive cyclist with a pacemaker!