Health Library Heart Problems: Living With a Pacemaker or ICDFrom Healthwise

A pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) helps protect you against dangerous heart rhythms. It's important to know how these devices work and how to keep them working right. Learning a few important facts about pacemakers and ICDs can help you get the best results from your device.

Key points

• Avoid strong magnetic and electrical fields. These can keep your device from working right.
• Most office equipment and home appliances are safe to use. Learn which things you should use with caution and which you should stay away from.
• Be sure that any doctor, dentist, or other health professional you see knows that you have a pacemaker or ICD.
• Always carry a card in your wallet that tells what kind of device you have. Wear medical alert jewelry that says you have a pacemaker or ICD.
• Have your pacemaker or ICD checked regularly to make sure it is working right.

 What are pacemakers and ICDs?
 Why does a pacemaker or ICD need to be checked regularly?
 How do you get the best results from a pacemaker or ICD?
 Where to go from here

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Pacemakers and ICDs are small electrical devices that help control the timing of your heartbeat.

• A pacemaker is implanted under the skin of your chest wall. The pacemaker's wires are passed through a vein into the chambers of your heart. The pacemaker sends out mild electrical pulses that keep your heart from beating too slow.
• An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is implanted under your skin, usually below the left collarbone. A wire threaded through a large vein connects the device to your heart. An ICD is always checking your heart rate. If your heart starts beating dangerously fast, the ICD sends a strong electrical shock to your heart to return it to a normal rhythm. If your heart is beating too slow, the ICD acts as a pacemaker, sending mild electrical pulses to bring your heart rate back up to normal.

Pacemakers and ICDs run on batteries. To be sure that your device is working right, you will need to have it checked every few months. You may need to go to your doctor’s office, or you may be able to get the device checked over the phone.

In most cases, ICD or pacemaker batteries last 5 to 15 years. When it is time to replace the battery, you will need another surgery, although it will be easier than the surgery you had to place the device.

When you have a pacemaker or ICD, it's important to avoid strong magnetic and electrical fields. The lists below show electrical and magnetic sources and how they may affect your pacemaker or ICD. For best results, follow these guidelines. If you have questions, check with your doctor.

Medical tests and procedures

Most medical tests and procedures will not affect your pacemaker or ICD, except for MRI, which uses strong magnets. To be safe:

• Let your doctors, dentists, and other health professionals know that you have a pacemaker or ICD before you have any test, procedure, or surgery.
• Have your dentist talk to your doctor before you have any dental work or surgery.
• If you need physical therapy, have the therapist contact your doctor before using ultrasound or heat therapy.

Travel

• You can safely walk through airport security or anti-theft gates at a normal pace. But do not stand near or lean against them.
• If you must be searched, ask the security guard for a hand search. If the handheld wand must be used, it should not be held over your pacemaker or ICD for a long period of time. The security guard should keep the wand at least 12 in (30.5 cm) away from your pacemaker or ICD.
• If your device sets off a security alarm, show your device ID card.

Letting others know

• Carry an ICD or pacemaker ID card with you at all times. The card should include manufacturer information and the model number.
• Wear medical alert jewelry stating that you have a pacemaker or ICD. You can buy this at most drugstores.

Follow-up care

• Go to all your appointments with your doctor to make sure your device is working right.
• Take all your medicines as prescribed. The medicines work with your pacemaker or ICD to help your heart keep a steady rhythm.
• Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms that could mean your device is not working properly, such as:
  • Your heartbeat is very fast or slow, skipping, or fluttering.
  • You feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.
  • You have shortness of breath that is new or getting worse.

Now that you have read this information, you know more about living with a pacemaker or ICD.

If you have questions about this information, print it out and take it with you when you visit your doctor. You may want to make notes on pages where you have questions.

Author:	Deborah Dakins	Last Updated: February 8, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine George Philippides, MD - Cardiology
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