LONG LASTING PACEMAKER

I nearly fell out of my chair here in the UK this morning as I spotted an article about the worlds oldest pacemaker which is still keeping Lesley Iles in the land of the living. It has been pacing her heart for 25 years, yes 25 years already and is still doing its job. They dont make them like that any more. Shame.
She is 51 years old and plans to take part in this years Southend Bike ride. She is a history teacher with a history none the less. I do know of a neighbour whose pacemaker lasted 15 years and was replaced when it had 3 years battery life left. His new one will only last 7-10 years at the most. Can anyone beat 25 years? Cheers pete

4 Comments

<(:¿:)>

by pacergirl - 2008-07-11 04:07:15

I want one too! Sign me up!

With the exercise program my doc has me on, a PM like this would never go dead!

pacergirl

can't yet, but...

by tpod - 2008-07-11 04:07:46

my doctor is on the cutting edge of the newest technologies, and i'm told there's a pacemaker in the works that, as long as you are ambulatory, will 'recharge' as you walk! he tells me that the preliminary studies are indicating that where a battery would normally last about 7 to 10 years, these will easily last twice that in a 'normally active' person. HOW COOL IS THAT!?

i so want one. :)

how cool

by Tracey_E - 2008-07-14 06:07:13

That's amazing! To think I was happy to get 7 yrs out of one. I've got a bad lead now, so I'm looking at 2-3 yrs on a battery til I decide to get the leads replaced.

Rechargeable, how cool is that?!?! I'd love to think I won't have to get them changed every 5-7 yrs for the rest of my life. I'm only 41, that's a lot of changes! Do you know which company is working on it?

wow...

by londonsteve - 2008-08-23 11:08:15

...I'm in the UK as well, had mine implanted in April 1986 so I'm up to 22 years, close but no cigar!
they don't make them like that anymore, true, but the new ones are much more complicated in terms of functionailty and reporting. the farce that happens every time I go for a check up can testify to the benefits of a newer model, despite the frequency of operations!

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