What changes a pacemaker brings with it
On January 25, 2023, Dr. Anna Lam, a cardiology specialist, gave a lecture at the Belvoirpark Hotel Management School in Zurich, explaining the changes that implanting a pacemaker brings to everyday life. The interested audience learned when it makes sense to implant a pacemaker, what needs to be considered when living with a pacemaker and how the small device improves quality of life.
How it all began
On October 8, 1958, doctor Ake Senning and Rune Elmqvist, an engineer at Siemens Elema, implanted the first pacemaker in Arne Larsson in Stockholm. As the pacemaker's battery was not yet as advanced as it is today, Larsson had to replace the pacemaker a total of 25 times before he died in 2001. In recent decades, the pacemaker has become a model for success: in 2021, 5,974 pacemakers were implanted in Switzerland alone.
Implantation of the pacemaker
After the implantation of a pacemaker, patients usually spend one night in hospital. To protect the wound, patients wear a bandage for two weeks after the procedure. No heavy lifting is allowed for up to four weeks after the procedure and excessive strain on the surgical site should be avoided. After the implantation, patients receive a pacemaker ID card, which certifies to outsiders that they are wearing a pacemaker.
The unknown life with a pacemaker
The implantation of a pacemaker does not result in any noticeable external changes. A survey of the people present at the lecture revealed that 38% of those who have a pacemaker do not know anyone else who also wears this small device. A further 38% who live without a pacemaker themselves do not know anyone with one. It is therefore hardly surprising that terms such as "fear" and "foreign body" are often used when talking about pacemakers. However, the benefits of the device as a "pacemaker for the heart" are generally known.
The question of the benefits of a pacemaker and the reasons for pacemaker implantation are therefore obvious. While an ordinary pacemaker only compensates for a pulse that is too slow, a defibrillator, or "defi", can be used if the pulse is too fast or too slow. The device, also known as an ICD, is a pacemaker with an additional electric shock function that can immediately stop dangerous rapid cardiac arrhythmias.
Anyone with a pacemaker should avoid strong electric fields, as these can cause the pacemaker to stop working properly. Magnetic mattresses and chairs, for example, are not recommended. Regular checks of the pacemaker are also part of life after implantation. Furthermore, some medical treatments and therapies should only be carried out after consultation with the treating cardiologist. Violent shocks to the device should also be avoided. For this reason, people with a pacemaker are advised against certain sports such as boxing.
After pacemaker implantation, all patients at the HerzGefässZentrum Im Park receive a leaflet summarizing the most important recommendations for conduct.
Better quality of life for heart patients
Overall, the presentation made it clear that the benefits of a pacemaker generally outweigh the associated risks. The pacemakers are usually hardly noticed by others. With minor restrictions in everyday life, a pacemaker can significantly improve the quality of life of people with heart disease.
The team at the HerzGefässZentrum Im Park will be happy to answer any questions or provide information.
