Question 1

my grandfather is in his 80's and he will be having the battery on his pacemaker replaced. are their any major risks involved?

Accepted Answer

Not high risk : Generator exchange is not a high risk procedure. It is usually done with sedation and local anesthesia. Risks are mostly local e.g. Bleeding or infection.

Question 2

what is the typical cost for pacemaker implantation in the u.s.?

Accepted Answer

Variable based on ..: The pacemaker itself has a certain cost; the company sends a rep to supervise which pacemaker is inserted, making sure it captures, and works correctly; the surgeon putting it in; and the anesthesiologist -- besides all of the or time, fluoroscopy, radiology technicians, and nurses. So--it is many thousands, depending on where you live and which pacemaker you are implanting.

Question 3

what is a pacemaker?

Accepted Answer

Heart device.: A cardiac pacemaker is a device that is implanted in the chest to permanently regulate heartbeat rhythms. The pacemaker monitors the heartbeat to make sure it is not beating too slowly, and when necessary transmits electric pulses to the heart to increase the heartbeat pace. Pacemakers are periodically replaced every several years when the battery runs out.

Question 4

how to test a pacemaker?

Accepted Answer

Pacemaker clinic: You need to go to pacemaker clinic at a hospital where they will "interogate" it. You cannot do it by yourself.

Question 5

what are fixed pacemakers?

Accepted Answer

Fixed rate: I assume you mean fixed rate pacemakers. We don't use them anymore. The very earliest pacemakers just fired at whatever rate you set them, once a second if you set the rate to 60. That lead to chaos if the patient's inherent heart rate was not always real slow. So they made pacemaker's which sense normal beats and only fire if the rate gets slow. They are inhibited when a heartbeat is sensed.

Question 6

what people need pacemakers?

Accepted Answer

HeartRhythm or block: The most common indicators for an implanted pacemaker are bradycardia (slow heart rate), tachycardia (fast heart rate) and heart block (when the heart stops beating for several seconds).

Question 7

are pacemakers made of metal?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes they have metal casings and electronic insides.

Question 8

when are pacemakers necessary?

Accepted Answer

HeartRhythm or block: Pacemakers are most commonly necessary for patients with bradycardia- slow heart rate, tachycardia - fast heart rate, and heart block - when the heart stops beating for several seconds.

Question 9

what is used to make pacemakers?

Accepted Answer

Pacemakers: Pacemakers are used to sense the heartbeat and if no heartbeat is detected, an electrical impulse to stimulate the heart is provided.  Therefore, components of a pacemaker are 1. Sensor 2. Power supply to deliver an electrical impulse 3. Leads that connect the body of pacemaker to the heart. Current day pacemakers are very small, almost size of a large coin.  Circuitry is inside a titanium can.

Question 10

how can pacemakers be programmed?

Accepted Answer

With a special box: Each manufacturer of pacemakers makes their own device that communicates  with it by radio waves and can get reports from it and can give it instructions.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Pacemaker precautions handout

A member asked:

My grandfather is in his 80's and he will be having the battery on his pacemaker replaced. are their any major risks involved?

A member asked:

What is the typical cost for pacemaker implantation in the u.s.?

A member asked:

What is a pacemaker?

A member asked:

How to test a pacemaker?

A member asked:

What are fixed pacemakers?

A member asked:

What people need pacemakers?

A member asked:

Are pacemakers made of metal?

A member asked:

When are pacemakers necessary?

A member asked:

What is used to make pacemakers?

A member asked:

How can pacemakers be programmed?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?