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.
If a doctor recommends pacemakers, it is likely due to an abnormal heartbeat, referred to as an arrhythmia in medical terms. The unsteady beat could cause less blood flow and even organ failure if it is really serious and goes untreated. Most patients suffer from dizzy spells, fainting, and even chronic fatigue that makes it hard to live a normal life.
If you are exhibiting the signs of a heartbeat issue, your doctor may run a series of tests. An EKG is one of the most popular because it is easy and painless to the patient. It involves a machine that registers and records all of the electrical activity going on in your heart, showing its rhythm.
The Echo, or echocardiography, is another test the doctor may run. This one uses uses sound waves to take a measurement of the size and shape of the heart, as well as a snapshot of the blood flow and function as well.
For patients who are still active and can run on a treadmill, they may ask them to do so with sensors attached, also called a stress test. For those who cannot run because of fatigue, they can drink medicine that increases heart rate for a similar effect.
If you do need the device implanted after these tests, it is a common procedure that requires two incisions. One is near the shoulder, where wires are inserted into the heart. Then a second in the abdomen that has the box and battery, which is in turn connected to the wires to regular the heartbeat and make you feel better.
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.
If a doctor recommends pacemakers, it is likely due to an abnormal heartbeat, referred to as an arrhythmia in medical terms. The unsteady beat could cause less blood flow and even organ failure if it is really serious and goes untreated. Most patients suffer from dizzy spells, fainting, and even chronic fatigue that makes it hard to live a normal life.
If you are exhibiting the signs of a heartbeat issue, your doctor may run a series of tests. An EKG is one of the most popular because it is easy and painless to the patient. It involves a machine that registers and records all of the electrical activity going on in your heart, showing its rhythm.
The Echo, or echocardiography, is another test the doctor may run. This one uses uses sound waves to take a measurement of the size and shape of the heart, as well as a snapshot of the blood flow and function as well.
For patients who are still active and can run on a treadmill, they may ask them to do so with sensors attached, also called a stress test. For those who cannot run because of fatigue, they can drink medicine that increases heart rate for a similar effect.
If you do need the device implanted after these tests, it is a common procedure that requires two incisions. One is near the shoulder, where wires are inserted into the heart. Then a second in the abdomen that has the box and battery, which is in turn connected to the wires to regular the heartbeat and make you feel better.
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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