Importance of Regular Pacemaker and Defibrillator Checks

Pacemaker

If your doctor has called for a pacemaker or defibrillator to be installed in your chest, it’s important that you receive as much information as possible about the device. Like any medical operation or technology, there are risks and benefits to using a pacemaker or defibrillator. In some cases, regular checks and tests must be performed to ensure the unit is running optimally. Without a pacemaker, dizzy spells and blackouts may be common. Furthermore, the heart is at risk for worsening conditions, including irregular heartbeats.

Check-Up Schedule

Like with any medical procedure, your doctor should schedule a follow-up visit a few weeks after the pacemaker or defibrillator is installed. In fact, it’s important to perform a complete pacemaker check no later than six weeks after the pacemaker implant Then, after the initial check-up, an appointment should be scheduled every three to six months to evaluate battery life and device function.

Following a regular schedule is important. You doctor will explain how often check should be performed. These appointments are quite simple and certainly nothing to worry over. During the visit, your heart specialist will determine whether the device has detected or treated any abnormal heart rhythms and check the device’s battery life. When the battery is life, it’s important to chance out the pacemaker. A typical model lasts from four to eight years, however.

Lastly, once per year, patients will require a more extensive examination at a hospital or the doctor’s office.

Device Limitations

Of course, like any useful medical device, there are limitations to consider with a pacemaker. For example, within the first couple of weeks or months, you should avoid electrical fields or magnetic devices. People who work in power plants or near vehicles all day may be affected by exposure to magnetic fields. Furthermore, excessive or strenuous exercise can be detrimental to your heart health from here on out.