Patient education: Pacemaker check (The Basics)

What is a pacemaker? — 

This is a device that sits under the skin in the chest (figure 1). It can treat a slow heart rate.

Pacemakers work by sending electrical signals to the heart, usually through a wire. These signals cause the heart to beat at a normal rate.

If you have a pacemaker, your doctor will check it regularly to make sure that it is working correctly.

How are pacemaker checks done? — 

There are 2 main ways:

●In person – You go to your doctor's office. Your doctor checks how the pacemaker is working. They can also make adjustments if needed.

●Remotely – Most pacemakers can be checked remotely, meaning that you do not have to go to the office. Instead, you get a monitor specific to your device. This receives information from the pacemaker and sends it to your doctor regularly, either over the phone or internet.

Your doctor will talk to you about your options. Some people prefer to get their pacemaker checked in person. Others prefer to have remote monitoring when possible.

How often should I get my pacemaker checked? — 

This depends on the type of pacemaker you have, how long you have had it, and your health.

Most people need to have their pacemaker checked in person:

●Within the first 3 months of getting the pacemaker put in

●At least once every year after that

In addition, routine checks usually happen every 3 or 4 months. These might be done in person or remotely.

Your doctor will tell you how often your pacemaker should be checked.

What happens during a pacemaker check? — 

Your doctor will review:

●Your heart rate

●Your pacemaker's settings

●How much battery is left

●All of the information the pacemaker has recorded

In the doctor's office, this is done by putting a special wand over your chest where the pacemaker is. This does not hurt. Your doctor might also do a test called an "electrocardiogram," or "ECG" (figure 2). This measures the electrical activity in your heart.

When should I call the doctor?

Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:

●Feel faint or like you might pass out

●Are dizzy or short of breath

●Have chest pain

Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:

●Your pacemaker makes a sound.

●You recently had a pacemaker put in, and the skin in the area is swelling or draining fluid.

More on this topic

Patient education: Pacemakers (The Basics)
Patient education: Pacemaker insertion (The Basics)
Patient education: ECG and stress test (The Basics)
Patient education: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (The Basics)
Patient education: Atrial flutter (The Basics)
Patient education: Sinus node dysfunction (The Basics)
Patient education: Syncope (fainting) (The Basics)
Patient education: Bradycardia (The Basics)

Patient education: Pacemakers (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Syncope (fainting) (Beyond the Basics)