Globally, numerous people have benefitted from the help of a pacemaker, and it is also a remarkable medical device. Apart from regulating heart rhythm, pacemakers help to relieve signs such as dizziness, fatigue, and fainting, which are linked with arrhythmias. Further, this will drive you through whether the irregular heartbeat is normal later in pacemaker implantation.
How does a pacemaker work?
Understanding how a pacemaker works is more crucial than knowing how a pacemaker disturbs the heart rhythm. The pacemaker is nothing but an electrical device placed under the skin that is near the collarbone. It consists of pulse generators with a battery, further, the wires are connected to the heart.
Tracking the heart’s electrical activity is the primary role of the pacemaker on the heart, and when there is any irregularity in heart rhythm these pacemakers will send electrical signals and make them beat at a normal rate. This highly supports people with bradycardia which is a slower heart rate or other types of arrhythmias where there is an abnormal heartbeat.
What will happen post-implantation?
Typically everyone will experience some level of irregular heartbeat post-pacemaker implantation. This process is known as the “setting in” phase because when individual’s body adjusts to the new device, further fine-tuning is needed for pacemaker settings. Further, let’s see some reasons why you might experience irregular heartbeat post-pacemaker implantation:
- Healing Process: Post-surgery, the heart, and surrounding tissues require some healing time. At times, this healing time may cause temporary irregular heartbeat.
- Adjustment Period: Further, the pacemaker also needs some adjustments. You should frequently consult your doctor to get the settings optimized for your specific needs. At this point, you may face an irregular heartbeat as the device is fine-tuned.
- Lead Positioning: Post heart pacemaker surgery the leads may slightly move from their actual position, this results in sending impulses at irregular intervals until it is repositioned.
- Pacemaker Sensing: Usually, a pacemaker comes with sensors that will monitor your body’s activity levels and adjust your heart rate. Soon after the implantation, the pacemaker may not accurately match your activity level, resulting in occasional improper heartbeats.
When should you worry about your irregular heartbeat?
Post-implantation individuals will face some irregular heartbeat during the initial days, it is normal, but you should not ignore symptoms or continuous irregular heartbeat. Some conditions in which you should be concerned about your irregular heartbeat include:
– Continuous Symptoms: If you are persistently facing signs like fainting, dizziness, or severe fatigue, this indicates that the pacemaker is not working properly or that the setting requires some adjustments.
– Palpitations: Experiencing palpitations, that is facing rapid or unusual heartbeats consistently, can be a symptom that the pacemaker is not functioning well.
– Lead Dislodgement: If there is any dislodgement in leads, it will cause irregular heartbeat. Medical intervention is required in such conditions to reposition the leads.
– Infection or Inflammation: Any symptoms like infection or inflammation at the pacemaker site like inflammation, redness, or fever, connected with irregular heartbeat, warrant rapid medical intervention.
How to manage irregular heartbeat post-pacemaker implantation?
Frequent screening is recommended, usually post-pacemaker implantation, notably when you are facing an irregular heartbeat. Follow the below-mentioned tips to address and tackle irregular heartbeat:
1) Frequent Screening:
Stay in close contact with your doctor and don’t fail to follow up on your appointments. When the healthcare providers will notice the pacemaker’s function, do some setting adjustments, and ensure that the leads are positioned correctly.
2) Observing Symptoms:
Note down all the symptoms you go through, that is right from noting the time, duration, discomfort in middle of chest, and activity during which they occur. This information will help your healthcare provider to make precise adjustments to your pacemaker.
3) Lifestyle Adjustments:
Certain activities and movements can disturb your pacemaker. Your healthcare provider will suggest you avoid some activities or how to manage your daily routine to normalize irregular heartbeat.
4) Medications:
Ensure you consume all the prescribed medications, because arrhythmias may still require medication along with the pacemaker.
5) Emergency Situations:
First, understand the symptoms of serious issues, like acute chest pain, difficulty breathing, or intense palpitations. If any of these conditions occur, try to get medical assistance immediately from the best cardiologist hospital in Coimbatore.
What is the long-term outlook?
In most cases, pacemakers help individuals to enhance the quality of their life and manage arrhythmias effectively. Once the pacemaker settings are optimized and adopted by your body, irregular heartbeat will get diminished.
Further, the latest technologies in pacemakers also assist in better outcomes. Modern pacemakers are capable of adjusting to a person’s activity level and reducing the risk of irregular heartbeat. Further, remote monitoring technologies help with real-time adjustments and troubleshooting, offering an additional layer of safety and convenience. Simply whenever you feel that your heart rhythm is disturbed, get aheart pacemaker surgery in Coimbatore to live a normal life with good health.
Final Thoughts:
Going through an improper heartbeat later getting a pacemaker can be unsettling, but it is also a part of the adjustment process. Most of the pacemaker issues will be resolved on their own with small adjustments to the pacemaker’s settings. Also, it is crucial to stay conscious and make open communication with your doctor to ensure that any potential problems are promptly addressed.
With frequent screening and proper care, most of the patients with pacemakers continue to lead healthy, active lives, free from debilitating symptoms of arrhythmias. Whenever you are concerned about your pacemaker or heart rhythm, without any hesitation, do contact your doctor for immediate support and guidance.