A permanent pacemaker is a battery operated device that is placed under the skin, usually in the left upper chest. Small wires connect the pacemaker to the heart. The pacemaker is able to sense your heart's rate and the time between beats. If your heart beat is not regular or is too slow, the pacemaker sends a small amount of electricity to the heart to speed up the heart or make it beat more regularly.
The device is approximately the size of a half-dollar and about 1/2 inch in thickness
Before the procedure:
You will be welcome at the hospital, the doctors and nurses will explain the full procedure
Tell your doctor or nurse if you are allergic to iodine, x-ray dye, or other medications.
Generally, you will be asked to not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the procedure. Please ask your nurse.
You may be asked to remove dentures, glasses, and jewelry, and to wear a hospital gown.
You will need to empty your bladder before you go for the procedure.
You may be given some medicine to help you relax. You will not be under general anesthesia; you will be awake, but drowsy.
During the Procedure:
You will be lying on a hard table surrounded by x-ray equipment and will be connected to a heart monitor. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing will be monitored, through the whole procedure. The permanent pacemaker will be inserted just under the skin through a small incision.
After The procedure:
You will probably be returned to your same room. Your heart rate and blood pressure will still be monitored. You will be able to eat and/or drink as soon as you are awake. Before you go home, you will be given information regarding your follow-up care from the nurses in the pacemaker lab.
If you have any questions or concerns before or after your test please feel free to call our staff at 951.352.3937 or send a message to our team through our HIPAA compliant contact form
The information contained in this web site is presented for information purposes only, and is not intended to substitute in any way a consultation with a physician or competent healthcare professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment.
Cardiology Specialists Medical Group is a group of 10 Cardiologists in the Inland Empire, California. CSMG offers general cardiology, Electrophysiology, EP studies, and Interventional cardiology with the newest non-invasive procedures in the area.
