Dad's going in for a pacemaker tomorrow. How safe is it? Can't believe I haven't talked to a doc.

Question

Please indicate how qualified you are to answer this -- a doc, a nurse, have family member who has one, etc.

Answer 1

I am a nurse and also sure your dad will be fine. They are putting it in for his benefit and he will feel so much better.

Answer 2

I am involved in pacemaker procedures quite often. The procedure is usually done with just mild IV sedation while the cardiologist numbs the skin with local anesthetic. The patient usually just snoozes through the procedure.
It usually only takes an hour or so. Of course there are risks. The procedure involves major blood vessel and the heart and is in proximity to the lungs, all of which can be vulnerable to complications. But this is a very safe procedure in general. By the way the risk of death from anesthesia is not 1/100 but 1/250,000.
I wouldn't worry about the pacemaker itself. A sales rep from the manufacturer is always present and they know of any recalls etc... and wouldn't provide a defective product.
At the end of the case your relative will be kept in the hospital for observation and may be a bit sore.

Answer 3

It's important to know that online anyone can claim to be a medical professional. It's why to take all medical advice online with a grain of salt. Take whatever information you found online to your physician and talk the issue(s) over with him or her. This prevents you from getting wrong, misconstrued and dangerous information.

That said, my dad had a pacemaker put in after a couple of heart attacks a couple years ago, and is up and about like anyone else. A family friend's father had one implanted after a near fatal heart attack and still living 10 years later.

With all surgeries there are risks -- that 1% of dying from complications with anesthesia alone -- and recovery from the surgery is a personal journey reflecting many issues. What works for someone else, may not with your father. Yet, generally pacemaker implantation is a safe procedure, more so than a bypass operation. There will be some time before he's back in "swing" again, but the assurance of a stable heart beat is insurance of longevity.

What's important is keep an eye out on him (be his eyes and ears) and be his best advocate. Patients with keen family members have better recovery outcomes, as 1001 mistakes can occur, and someone needs to spot them before harm can be done.

One thing to expect: stubborness. If your dad is active, being sidelined causes incredible anger and the results of bed rest for extended periods can boil over. Try to take it in stride that it's the independence talking, not plain meaness. Care giving is hard work, but the rewards are priceless -- and he'll appreciate it (maybe grudgingly) that someone helped carry the load so he can gain his independence again.

Answer 4

Your dad is undergoing a very safe procedure. Just to be sure, get to the hospital before he's scheduled to go, ask his nurse to call his physician and/or the cardiac educator so that you can get any questions or concerns answered. Your father will actually feel better once the pacemaker is placed, as his heart rate will be controlled and his blood pressure stabilized. He will probably experience discomfort at the incisional site but they will give him some pain meds and place ice over the site to relieve swelling and decrease pain. His arm will be immobilized in a sling afterwards to keep tension off the incisional area and allow the pacing wires to "stabilize" within his heart. Your father will be provided with educational materials, post-op care instructions, and also a card to carry with him that identifies the type of pacemaker he has/serial number/manufacturer/individual settings. Hope that helps a little-but certainly arrive at the hospital early tomorrow and I'm sure they can get a hold of his physician to answer your questions either in person or by phone. Good luck

Answer 5

casa2 had a great answer & I will only add one thing. Also ask the doctor what type and what model numder of pacemaker they're putting in. Then do a little research and make sure there have been no proven problems with that model. Believe it or not, not all doctors are aware of product warnings from pacemaker manufacturers.

Answer 6

I just recently had a VNS machine placedin me. A Pace Maker Is similiar and just as simple to put in as the VNS machine. As a matter of fact, they are puy, pretty much in the same area. The only difference is the tube on the Pace Maker that runs to the heart. That tube runs from the VNS machine to the blokeage in the brain that causes seizures. So, don't worry! He will be fine. It has only been a week since my surgery and I'm here answering your question. That should give you some relief on how easy it will be on your father.

Answer 7

It is safe in the hands of a competent specialist.
Call the doctor immediately and ask him all your questions.
Ask him how safe it is, has he had anyone die on him while he was doing the procedure, what kind of pacemaker is it, what is it's life, how long is the recovery, what does he have to avoid, xrays? microwaves? scanning at the airport? etc etc Always be well informed. If you have a question, always ask it. No question is a stupid question.

Answer 8

Pacemakers are very easy to be implanted now..My Friend has one and she's feeling like a Teenager again...(shes in her 70's) Good luck for your Dad.....I will pray for him....

Answer 9

my uncle got one at 81, he's fine. My boss had two at age 73. He's fine. He got a little infection with the first one but is doing great now

Answer 10

Know several people who have had it done. They say it is a simple procedure now.