A 41-year-old member asked:
do you have to recharge the batteries in a pacemaker?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Rasakanswered
Cardiology 33 years experience
No: You replace the generator. A simple procedure where an incision is made over the old pacmaker and a new one is placed . The wound is closed like the original. Usually done in cath lab , ep lab, or the or.Pts usually go home same day.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. John Garneranswered
Cardiology 16 years experience
No: The batteries in all current devices are lithium based and operate much like duracell (alkaline) batteries. They cannot and should not be recharged, and are in fact welded into the pacemaker device itself. Rechargeable devices are on the horizon but will not likely be available in the next 3-5 years.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Calvin Weisbergeranswered
Cardiology 51 years experience
Pacemaker: When a pacer battery runs low we replace the device. Rechargeable and nuclear pacemakers are not on the market.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 34-year-old member asked:
Do pacemakers improve the quality of life of people?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Alon Gitiganswered
Cardiology 20 years experience
Not always: In some cases, it is meant to prevent occasional pauses in conduction, which can occur very rarely. Sometimes they are put in to prevent the first such event, when the likelihood it will occur seems likely, and the patient may never notice a difference! if someone is fainting often, or feeling very lethargic/weak from low heart rates, the pacemaker may have a drastic impact on quality of life.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Charles Jost commented
Cardiology 36 years experience
For CHF patients a bi-ventricular pacemaker can significantly improve quality of life. Bradycardic (slow heart rate - HR) and Tachyarrythmic (fast HR) also often report improvement in fatigue, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and even chest pain.
Nov 14, 2011
CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
How are batteries chosen to be put in pacemakers?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Scottanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 39 years experience
Manufacture specific: The companies that manufacture pacemakers design their own batteries to optimize the longevity of the device. The batteries are not replaced when depleted; the entire pacemaker is replaced.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 44-year-old member asked:
How are pacemakers maintained?
2 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mary Callahananswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Pacemaker followup: Pacemakers are followed by cardiologists in two ways--they are seen regularly in the office to adjust and check the battery. In between office visits the devices can be checked remotely either over the phone or internet.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
What is a biventricular pacemaker?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Jostanswered
Cardiology 36 years experience
CRT: Also known as cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker, this device has 2 or 3 leads positioned to make the left ventricle contract at the same time - or in synchrony - as the right ventricle so that the heart beats in a more balanced way.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
Are pacemakers affected at all by long distance flights or particularly high altitude?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Scottanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 39 years experience
No: Pacemakers are subject to electromagnetic interference, but are not affected by altitude.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Jul 26, 2018
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