Frequently
Asked Questions About Pacemakers
- Do cellular phones
interfere with pacemakers?
The answer to this question depends on the type
of cellular phone being used. Today's pacemakers
are engineered to withstand interference from
analog cellular phones. However, in some cases,
digital cellular phones may interfere with pacemakers.
According to the American Heart Association,
a group of cellular phone companies is studying
the newer cellular phones with new frequency
and their effect on pacemakers.
- Do pacemakers need
to be adjusted periodically?
Some pacemakers may need to be adjusted if a
person's medical condition or lifestyle
changes. Your physician will instruct you about
the schedule of follow-up visits you should
keep based on your condition and type of device.
In addition, you may participate in telephonic
assessment of your device on a periodic basis.
- When replacing a pacemaker,
are the leads also replaced? (Leads are the
actual wires that carry the electrical charges
to areas of the heart.)
If the original leads are functioning properly,
in most cases, they can be left in place and
reattached to the new pacemaker.
- When do I have to
replace my pacemaker?
Most pacemakers will last between 8 and 10 years,
after which the entire pacemaker will need
to be replaced. Replacing a pacemaker generator
may be done on an outpatient basis or may include
an overnight stay in the hospital.
- Can I travel with
my pacemaker?
Yes, you can travel with your pacemaker and
drive a car. You should be sure to always have
your pacemaker identification card with you
wherever you go.
- Can I exercise with
a pacemaker?
Upon consulting your physician, you may be able
to enjoy moderate exercise with your pacemaker,
including housework and yard work.
- Will I feel the pacemaker?
At first, you may feel the weight of the pacemaker
in your chest. However, over time, most people
become accustomed to the pacemaker. The generator
is very small, about the size of two silver
dollars stacked on top of each other, and weighs
about an ounce or less, depending on the make
and model of the device.
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