Heart Conditions You Can Manage With A Pacemaker

Everyone is well aware of the electrical details of their houses, but did you know that there is a system inside your heart that helps it function as well? When the meticulous electrical system of your heart glitches, it opens the gate to a range of issues, from a sluggish heartbeat to lack of rhythm in its beating. The good news is that medical science has advanced and made devices like pacemakers that ensure your heart beats at the right speed and time. But when should one opt for it? Let’s find out what heart conditions necessitate the fixation of a pacemaker.

Conditions That Require a Pacemaker

Here are some of the common issues for which you need external help:

1. Bradycardia
   It is the most prevalent condition that requires a pacemaker, where the heart rate goes too slow or irregular for your body’s daily needs. Symptoms such as dizziness, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, or fainting often signal the need for intervention.
2. Heart Block
   When the electrical signals within your heart move too slowly or fail to pass the entire organ, it leads to missed beats. This is often due to aging, during a heart attack episode, or other disruptions.
3. Sick Sinus Syndrome
   Aging or heart disease impairs the sinus node’s ability to regulate the heart rate. This manifests as an irregular heart rhythm, making your heart switch between slow and fast beats.
4. Atrial Fibrillation
   Atrial fibrillation is characterized by rapid and irregular contractions in the atria (upper heart chamber), necessitating a pacemaker.

Signs Indicating You Need a Pacemaker

At Healthy Living Heart and Vein, our expert, Dr. Rajesh Ramineni, a 5-star rated cardiologist in The Woodlands, certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the field of Echocardiography, excels at identifying conditions warranting pacemaker placement. Some of the common signs they look for are:

• Excessive fatigue that hinders daily tasks.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness as soon as you stand.
• Muscle weakness in limbs.
• Breathing difficulties during light physical activity.
• Mental confusion or brain fog due to insufficient oxygenated blood to the brain.
• Fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest.
• Pulse rate consistently under 90.
• Persistent swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen (a sign of congestive heart failure)

Precautionary Measures with a Pacemaker

A pacemaker comes with its own set of precautions, some of which are mentioned below:

1. Metal Security: Exercise caution at security detectors and make sure to avoid undergoing one.
2. MRI Machines and Magnetic Fields: Avoid MRI – magnetic resonance imaging machines and large magnetic fields, as they can hamper the electrical activity of your pacemaker.
3. Diathermy and Heat Therapy: Steer clear of diathermy, a heat-based physiotherapy exercise to treat muscles.
4. Motor Operations: When working on large motors, such as in cars or boats, temporarily turn them off to avoid confusion about your pacemaker’s rate.
5. High-Voltage and Radar Machinery: Steer clear from high-voltage or radar machinery, like radio or TV transmitters.
6. Surgical Procedures: Before any surgery, inform your surgeon or dentist about the pacemaker to avoid the use of electrocautery.
7. Carry an ID card at All Times: Always carry an identification card indicating that you have a pacemaker so that you can move past the areas that can create trouble for the device inside you.

Closing Note

If you suffer from heart-related discomfort, contact Healthy Living Heart and Vein. We are here to help you out. Our expert team can diagnose your condition with the latest tools and determine whether you require treatment for your heart or anything else. Do not hesitate to call us at (936) 978-0466 to schedule an appointment. Your health is our priority, and we are ready to assist you in every way possible.