Pacemaker

What is a Pacemaker insertion?

Implantation of a small electronic device comprised of a battery, a computerized generator and, electrodes. The electrodes are attached to your heart.
When the device senses your heart rate is abnormal, electrical pulses correct the irregularity.

Normally recommended that you avoid strenuous activities for around 3 to 4 weeks after having your pacemaker fitted.

If you have untreated arrhythmia, your body and brain may not be getting the oxygen it needs because your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently. You probably experience some uncomfortable symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, dizziness or light-headedness, or fainting.A pacemaker helps with those symptoms by helping your heart beat in rhythm and at an appropriate rate.
If you have heart failure, a pacemaker can slow the progression of your disease. You may need to be hospitalized less often, and your heart may function better overall.
Finally, if you have a higher risk of ventricular tachycardia, a pacemaker could save your life. When you have ventricular tachycardia, you can go into ventricular fibrillation, which is when your ventricles get out of sync and contract erratically and fast. Without immediate treatment it can cause sudden death. A pacemaker can provide that immediate treatment.

Pacemaker Types:

Single chamber pacemaker: This type usually carries electrical impulses to the right ventricle of your heart.
Dual chamber pacemaker:This type carries electrical impulses to the right ventricle and the right atrium of your heart to help control the timing of contractions between the two chambers.
Biventricular pacemaker: Biventricular pacing, also called cardiac resynchronization therapy, is for people who have heart failure and heartbeat problems. This type of pacemaker stimulates both of the lower heart chambers (the right and left ventricles) to make the heart beat more efficiently.

A pacemaker has two parts:

Pulse generator: This small metal container houses a battery and the electrical circuitry that controls the rate of electrical pulses sent to the heart.
Leads (electrodes): One to three flexible, insulated wires are each placed in one or more chambers of the heart and deliver the electrical pulses to adjust the heart rate. However, some newer pacemakers don’t require leads. These devices, called leadless pacemakers, are implanted directly into the heart muscle.

You should be able to get back to normal physical activities very soon afterwards. As a precaution, it is normally recommended that you avoid strenuous activities for around 3 to 4 weeks after having your pacemaker fitted. After this, you should be able to do most activities and sports.