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Pacemaker Information
Pacemaker Pointers
Tips to help you live comfortably
with your pacemaker.
After the hospital |
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| Your pacemaker is in place and you are ready to go home! By taking the following steps you can expect to live comfortably with your pacemaker... | |||
| 1. You may experience mild incisional discomfort and local numbness. | |||
| 2. For the time being take it easy! | |||
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No heavy lifting over 10 pounds. |
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No vigorous activity. |
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Avoid lifting your arms over your head. |
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Do not return to work. |
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Do not drive your car. |
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Do not mow the lawn or shovel snow. |
| Your doctor will tell you when you may resume these activities. | |||
| 3. Check the pacemaker incision everyday for increased redness, swelling, pain or warmth until the staples or sutures, if present, are removed. |
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| 4. You may be asked to take your temperature daily for the first week. |
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| 5. You will receive a temporary pacemaker identification card when you leave the hospital, and a permanent card in the mail within a few weeks. You should carry this card with you at all times. |
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| 6. You'll be given follow-up appointments with both your surgeon and your cardiologist. Keep these appointments... they are very important! |
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When to call the doctor
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor...Palpitations (pounding of the heart) Weakness Shortness of breath (more than usual) Fatigue Dizziness Continual hiccups Passing out Muscle twitching in the chest Temperature over 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Increased incisional (wound) pain, redness, warmth or any drainage, skin break down, or pacemaker or wires breaking through the skin
Electrical devices
Some electrical devices may affect the performance and your pacemaker, including...High tension power lines Power transformers Arc welders Radio transmitting towers Ham radios Some cellular phones, mostly those manufactured in Europe, when held directly over the pacemaker Microwave ovens which are not functioning properly Leaning directly over a running car engine with the hood open Safe electrical devices include...
Microwave ovens Garage door openers Toasters Radios Stereos Electric razors Electric blankets Computers Cellular phones, not held directly over the pacemaker Large appliances Electric knives Blenders Televisions Vacuum cleaners Hair dryers Heating pads
Medical Procedures
Some medical procedures may affect the performance of your pacemaker. Check with your doctor before undergoing...
Transcutaneous nerve stimulators (TENS units) Defibrillation/cardioversion (for rhythm problems)
Diathermy Lithotripsy
Electrocautery Ionizing radiation (radiotherapy)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) WILL DAMAGE YOUR PACEMAKER
Follow-up doctor visits
Follow-up visits to your doctor are very important since they help to maintain proper and optimal pacemaker function. Please keep on schedule to keep your pacemaker in tip-top shape!
1. 7-10 days after discharge, the pacemaker site needs to
be checked and, if present, the staples or sutures removed.2. 3-4 weeks after discharge, the pacemaker system needs to be evaluated in the office to check the incision site and pacemaker function. Adjustments may be made at that time. A transtelephonic transmitter will be given to you then with simple instructions. This device will enable us to check your pacemaker over the phone!
3. During the first year, we will call you once a month to check the pacemaker battery and function over the phone. During the second and third year, we will check the pacemaker over the phone every two months. Then after three years, the pacemaker will be checked every month until replacement is indicated.
4. Once a year, we will ask you to come to the office to evaluate the pacemaker function, including the battery and leads (wires). This gives us more information than the evaluation done over the telephone. This visit also allows us to adjust the pacemaker to fit your changing needs.
CNY Medical Center
4939 Brittonfield Parkway, Suite 202, Bldg B, 1st floor
East Syracuse, NY 13057
Tel: 315.634.6699
Fax: 315.634.6695Russell Silverman, MD, FACC
Sherri Loucks, NP-C
Carolyn Duca, NP-C
Nancy Gaskill, RPA-C
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