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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

By Rebecca Murphy


Not all that many years ago even minor heart problems could have been a death sentence. Enormous strides have been made in the treatment of heart disease, however. Today, complicated open heart surgery is common and considered to be safe. Many heart problems can be managed or treated by means of medication or minor procedures. For example, by opting for a pacemaker Princeton NJ patients can resume normal activities within days.

The heart is really nothing other than a pump the size of an average fist. It pumps blood containing oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. When it does not pump as intended to, heart problems van ensue. Sometimes the chambers of the heart do not coordinate very well and sometimes the heart beats too slow or too fast.

When a heart does not beat as it should, a pace making device is often the simplest and most effective solution. This is a rather simple device consisting of a generator that supplies electricity and some electrodes that are connected to the chambers of the heart. The generator simply creates electric impulses through the electrodes and in this way the heart is prompted to beat in a regular rhythm.

These devices may be simply, but that does not mean that they are not sophisticated. They not only regulate the heartbeat, but they constantly monitor the breathing and activity of the body. During exercise, for example, or a change in the breathing pattern of the patient, the heart rate will be increased or decreased according to the blood and oxygen needs of the body.

Inserting a pace making device does not require major surgery. The generator is placed just below the collar bone of the shoulder on the left and the electrodes are guided to the heart chambers through a major vein. It is done under a local anaesthetic and the patient can go home almost immediately after the procedure. At least one follow up visit is necessary to make sure that the device is performing well.

The presence of a pace making device does not require the recipient to make major lifestyle changes. It is necessary to avoid intense magnetic fields. Full contact sports should also be avoided and many patients find it uncomfortable to wear safety belts when driving. When receiving any form of medical attention, patients should always inform the attending physician that they have a pace maker.

This procedure is extremely safe and complication are extremely rare. In some very few cases patients experienced collapsed lungs during the procedure. There is, of course, always a risk of infection developing but this is the case during any surgical procedure. Some patients may have an allergic reaction to the dye that is used during surgery. Some swelling and discomfort at the site where the generator was inserted is common.

There can be no doubt that pace making devices have saved the lives of millions of people or at least allowed them to continue with normal life styles. One can only wonder what new solutions will be offered in the future. Sadly, heart disease remains one of the most common cause of premature death.




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