For decades, the diagnosis of a heart problem meant either an eventual death sentence or a sharply altered life where your regular routine would be completely upended. Technology today ensures that this is no longer the case, and many heart problems can actually be dealt with very easily. A pacemaker is one way that doctors can make this happen.
To really understand why people even need pacemakers in the first place, you have to understand how the human heart works. Your heart keeps blood pumping throughout your body, and every heartbeat sends electrical signals to do this. If these signals become weak or stop altogether, it could be serious or even fatal.
These devices are mostly used to help correct a condition known as an arrhythmia, which means that the heartbeat is not going at a normal pace. This can cause all kinds of issues such as fainting, dizziness, and fatigue, some or all of which could be chronic, depending on how serious it is. Those who have one and do not seek treatment could die.
Any doctor who sees a patient who has the telltale signs of an arrhythmia will have tests run to see if their suspicions are correct. This may mean an EKG, which is quick and painless for the patient, which is why it is so commonly done. The doctor gets a recording of all electrical action in the heart.
Another test is called the Echo, short for echocardiography. This records the flow and function of the heart by using sound waves. It will also measure the entire organ and record the size to make sure that there is nothing abnormal going on.
The doctor may also prescribe a stress test, which records heart rate while it is active. If you are well enough, you will have to exercise on a treadmill to get it pumping. If not, a medicine can be administered to give your heart a similar, elevated beat.
The surgery required should the tests prove you need the device is in two parts. The first puts wires into your heart tissue, and requires an incision near the shoulder. The second incision is where the box and battery goes, near the chest area. The wires are connected to the box to make a complete circuit to help regulate the heartbeat.
The staff will insist that you stay overnight so they can keep an eye on the incision and your temperature to ensure you do not get a dangerous infection. They will also advise that you stay in bed or take it easy for a month or longer after the surgery so that your body and your heart recover properly.
Once you have the device installed, you should try to avoid prolonged use of electrical devices, or those with a strong magnetic impulse or field. This includes cell phones and microwave ovens, two things most people cannot live without. You can, however, use a cell phone, just use it on the opposite ear from where your device was installed, or use speaker phone.
To really understand why people even need pacemakers in the first place, you have to understand how the human heart works. Your heart keeps blood pumping throughout your body, and every heartbeat sends electrical signals to do this. If these signals become weak or stop altogether, it could be serious or even fatal.
These devices are mostly used to help correct a condition known as an arrhythmia, which means that the heartbeat is not going at a normal pace. This can cause all kinds of issues such as fainting, dizziness, and fatigue, some or all of which could be chronic, depending on how serious it is. Those who have one and do not seek treatment could die.
Any doctor who sees a patient who has the telltale signs of an arrhythmia will have tests run to see if their suspicions are correct. This may mean an EKG, which is quick and painless for the patient, which is why it is so commonly done. The doctor gets a recording of all electrical action in the heart.
Another test is called the Echo, short for echocardiography. This records the flow and function of the heart by using sound waves. It will also measure the entire organ and record the size to make sure that there is nothing abnormal going on.
The doctor may also prescribe a stress test, which records heart rate while it is active. If you are well enough, you will have to exercise on a treadmill to get it pumping. If not, a medicine can be administered to give your heart a similar, elevated beat.
The surgery required should the tests prove you need the device is in two parts. The first puts wires into your heart tissue, and requires an incision near the shoulder. The second incision is where the box and battery goes, near the chest area. The wires are connected to the box to make a complete circuit to help regulate the heartbeat.
The staff will insist that you stay overnight so they can keep an eye on the incision and your temperature to ensure you do not get a dangerous infection. They will also advise that you stay in bed or take it easy for a month or longer after the surgery so that your body and your heart recover properly.
Once you have the device installed, you should try to avoid prolonged use of electrical devices, or those with a strong magnetic impulse or field. This includes cell phones and microwave ovens, two things most people cannot live without. You can, however, use a cell phone, just use it on the opposite ear from where your device was installed, or use speaker phone.
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