Pacemaker - left or right side ? what's the difference.

Usually depends on whether you are right or left handed

by Benjijohn - 2019-03-19 05:15:04

Assuming that you had no other conditions and the doctors had the option of choosing between the 2 sides, usually they implant it on the opposite side of your dominant side

in other words, if you are left handed they prefer to put on the right, and vice versa. The logic behind it is for our own benefit. By putting on the opposite side, we are much more comfortable to use our dominant side with ease

so most probably, you are left handed or the doctors preferred it to implant it on your right side due to medical reasons which you can ask during your checkup visit

Hope this helps, wishing you the best with your new device

left vs right

by Tracey_E - 2019-03-19 10:47:32

They usually put it on the left because it's the shortest, most direct path to the heart but it can easily go on the right. Once we heal it doesn't much matter if we are left or right handed so it's unusual for a surgeon to place it on the other side due to that unless requested. Some people's anatomy is such that it fits better on the right. It can be moved to the right if there is an infection or we run out of space for the leads on the left. If someone shoots left handed or plays the violin, they will want the device on the right. That's all the reasons I can think of, there are probably others!

Right side

by Flo - 2019-03-19 14:27:18

 My Pacemaker was placed on the right side Due to lymph node removal on the left side.

left versus right

by Super charged - 2019-03-19 18:29:06

Hi  Benjijohn, Tracey_E and Flo,

Thank you for your comments. as I collapsed and was taken by ambulance to hospital there wasn't time to research information about pacemakers, it was all very rapid.

I'm right handed, I didn't know anything about pacemakers so was unaware that most are inserted on the left side.  Thanks to this site, I now have a list of questions I can seek answers to when I have my checkup visit with my surgeon in May,.

I'm getting used to the flutters and some weird feelings but am back to my walking routine and recently back to gym.. I feel so different and much better, I hadn't really noticed until I collapsed that I had a problem.  I am grateful to now be battery powered and looking forward to my fitness improving day by day.  Thank you once again :)

location

by ROBO Pop - 2019-03-20 04:47:49

It's not like real estate, where the three most important things are location location location. I have had devices in both the left and right shoulder and can attest that it aint gonna help your golf swing or your chances at being on the cover of sports illustrated swimsuit edition. Whys it important, it's there now, so relax and focus on getting back to living.

left side

by dwelch - 2019-03-21 02:54:13

I was told left side because I am right handed.  wont interfere with shooting a rifle was an example given not that I was shooting rifles much then or since. 

Left side and location

by Super charged - 2019-03-21 05:56:01

Goodness, I'm an Aussie, I can't imagine a surgeon saying it won't interfere with shooting a rifle to me, I guess everywhere is different.

Hi Robo Pop, I guess my PM planted in my real estate on the right side is just fine. Cover of a sports illustrated swimsuit edition ??  Ok I guess that's humour, at 64 don't think that is on my bucket list or radar :) funny though.

Aussie

by ROBO Pop - 2019-03-22 12:41:07

Oh goodness I didn't realize you are an Aussie. Instead of implanting in the shoulder they should place it down under...just use care where you sit

Left Side

by TomL56 - 2019-03-28 04:54:53

I was told that it is easier for the surgeon to place the PM on the left side but since I am partially left handed they offered to put it on the right side. I do some things left side (write) and some things right side (throw), so I said it didn’t matter to me and we went with the left side.