A Very Common Question From Our Patients Is... How Do Pacemakers Work?
Pacemakers are an incredible piece of technology that help regulate the heart's rhythm when it isn’t doing the job properly on its own. If your heart is beating too slowly or if the coordination between the chambers is out of sync, a pacemaker steps in and delivers small electrical pulses to keep everything on track. These electrical pulses ensure that your heart continues to beat at the right speed, which can prevent symptoms like dizziness, fainting, and breathlessness.
What Is a Pacemaker and How Does It Work?
Pacemakers are small devices that are implanted just under the skin, usually on the left or right side of the chest. They work by monitoring your heart’s rhythm, and when they detect an abnormality—whether your heart is beating too slowly or erratically—the pacemaker sends electrical signals to get it back into a proper rhythm.
The best way to think of a pacemaker is as a backup for your heart's natural rhythm. It doesn’t do all the work for your heart, but it’s there to step in when things aren’t working correctly, ensuring you feel better and avoid more severe symptoms.
How Are Pacemakers Fitted?
I often get asked what the procedure for pacemaker implantation is like, and I can reassure you—it’s straightforward and usually takes less than an hour. Pacemakers are implanted under local anaesthetic, so while you’re awake, you won’t feel pain. Some patients prefer a bit of sedation for comfort, which can be arranged if needed.
During the procedure, a small incision (a few centimetres wide) is made in the chest area. One or more leads (wires) are threaded through this incision and fed into your heart using X-ray guidance. These leads deliver the electrical pulses when necessary. After positioning the leads and securing the pacemaker in place under the skin, the incision is stitched up, and that’s it! Since this is a minimally invasive procedure, most patients go home the same day.
Is Pacemaker Implantation Safe?
Every medical procedure carries some level of risk, but when it comes to pacemaker implantation, the risk of serious complications is very low—less than one in a hundred. In my experience as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Cardiology, I’ve found that most complications, if they occur, are minor and can be easily managed. The benefits of having a pacemaker, particularly for those struggling with irregular heart rhythms, far outweigh any potential risks.
When Is a Pacemaker Needed?
There are many reasons why someone might need a pacemaker, but the most common one is due to a slow heart rhythm. As we age or due to certain heart conditions, the heart can start to beat too slowly. When this happens, you might feel dizzy, faint, or unusually tired. A pacemaker steps in to keep the heart beating at a normal pace.
Sometimes, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat become uncoordinated, causing the chambers of the heart to beat out of sync. Pacemakers can correct this problem too, ensuring that the heart’s rhythm stays consistent. In certain cases, more complex pacemakers are used to treat heart failure or prevent dangerous arrhythmias. Your cardiologist will help determine the right type of pacemaker for your specific needs.
What Happens if the Pacemaker’s Battery Runs Out?
Pacemaker batteries are built to last, typically around 10 years, and they’re closely monitored during your regular check-ups. Much like your mobile phone, we can tell well in advance when the battery is running low. When it’s time to replace the battery, you’ll undergo a simple procedure called a generator or box change.
This procedure is very minor. Under local anaesthetic, I’ll make a small cut over the pacemaker and replace the old battery unit with a new one. The leads stay in place, so the whole process is usually done in about 20 to 30 minutes. You can go home the same day, and there’s minimal recovery involved.
Can a Pacemaker Affect My Sleep?
Once you’ve had your pacemaker fitted and the area has healed, usually within a couple of weeks, it shouldn’t affect your sleep. Some patients prefer to sleep on the side opposite the pacemaker, but in most cases, the device is so small and thin that you’ll hardly notice it once you’ve recovered.
Modern pacemakers are designed to be discreet and comfortable, so after the initial healing period, they shouldn’t impact your daily life or your sleep.
Life with a Pacemaker: What to Expect
Living with a pacemaker doesn’t have to limit you. Once you’ve recovered from the procedure, you can return to your normal activities, including exercise. It’s important to follow the advice of your cardiologist and the cardiac rehab team in the early days, especially if you’ve had the pacemaker fitted to correct a serious heart condition.
Regular check-ups will ensure that your pacemaker is working correctly, but beyond that, you can enjoy a normal, active life. For many patients, the relief from symptoms like dizziness and fainting makes a huge difference in their quality of life.
Pacemakers are an essential device for many people, helping to regulate heart rhythm and prevent potentially serious health issues. If you’re advised to get one, know that it’s a well-established, low-risk procedure with excellent results.
If you have more questions about pacemakers or want to learn more about how they work, feel free to contact us here for further information. We’re here to support you every step of the way, from diagnosis to recovery. Check out what some of our patients have said here.
Interested in learning more about cardiology and your heart? Check out our other blogs:
Hopefully this blog will help you with understanding pacemakers a bit better. I have shared some of my experiences with them to try and give some practical advice!
Related Posts
