A permanent pacemaker is an excellent solution for individuals with an irregular heartbeat. Yet, not everyone who has an irregular heartbeat is eligible for a permanent pacemaker.
Pacemakers are lifesaving devices that help the heart regulate its beats. It holds the heartbeat by sending electrical signals to the heart through a pulse of electricity.
If you need a pacemaker and want to know who can receive a permanent one, this list is for you.
To learn more about determining eligibility for a permanent pacemaker, keep reading.
Patients With Heart Block
People who have heart block or an abnormal beating pattern may be able to get a pacemaker that stays in their body. A pacemaker is a device that is physically placed near the heart. When the heart rate is too slow, the pacemaker sends electrical pulses to the heart to speed it up.
People who need a lifelong pacemaker include those with acute bradycardia, which is a very slow heartbeat caused by heart block, or other arrhythmias, high blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.
Patients With Sick Sinus Syndrome
People with sick sinus syndrome can put on a lifelong pacemaker, which makes the heart beat too slow. During a pacemaker implant, they will put a small lead wire into a vein near the collarbone and lead to the heart.
Sick sinus syndrome is often caused by changes that come with aging, like the sinus tube getting thicker and stiffer. A single-chamber pacemaker can be a lifesaver for people with sick sinus syndrome.
Also, since pacemakers are improving, they can program it to adapt to the patient’s changing needs. This makes them an excellent long-term option for people with sick sinus syndrome.
Patients Who Have Had Heart Surgery
Patients who have had heart surgery may enjoy a permanent pacemaker. A pacemaker is a small device implanted near the heart, which helps restore and maintain the heart’s normal rhythm and function. Pacemakers can benefit certain heart rhythms for many people, including those with heart surgery.
These benefits may include reduced symptoms, improved quality of life, improved arrhythmia management, and reduced hospitalizations. If you have had heart surgery and traveling with cardiac device, talk to your doctor to discuss any limitations.
Patients With Cardiomyopathy
Patients with cardiomyopathy may be able to get a pacemaker surgery that stays in their body. This includes people who have congestive heart failure and have irregular beating.
The electric input from a pacemaker helps keep the heartbeat regular and often improves symptoms. In some cases, a heartbeat caused by cardiomyopathy may need a pacemaker that stays in the body.
People with this disease may also need a pacemaker if they have syncope (fainting spells) or presyncope (when you feel like you’re going to faint). Whether a pacemaker treats cardiomyopathy depends on the patient’s health, diagnosis, and how well other treatments work.
Knowing the Eligibility for Permanent Pacemaker
Permanent pacemakers can help treat abnormal heartbeats and save people’s lives. People with heart problems like bradycardia, genetic heart disease, and heart failure will consider a permanent pacemaker.
You need to talk to a doctor to determine if putting in a pacemaker is the best way to treat your condition. Be sure to talk to your doctor about whether you could enjoy a fixed pacemaker.
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