Signs that your pacemaker is working poorly; How to prevent a heart attack

Pacemakers can save lives. Many people have found a new life after heart failure thanks to pacemakers. There are rarely problems because failures can lead to dangerous consequences. Read on to find out if it is getting worse and learn what to do.

A pacemaker consists of a lead and pulse generator, a battery, a computer, and wires that connect to the heart’s veins to enable it to function smoothly

More than three million people around the world live with a pacemaker – a device implanted in your chest or abdomen that sends electrical pulses, helping the heart beat in a normal rhythm. According to statistics, 600,000 new pacemakers are implanted each year to save lives and help keep the heart beating faster.

Pacemakers are used to keep the heart functioning smoothly when the heart stops working naturally and to treat heart failure and hypertonic cardiomyopathy. However, since it is a machine, a pacemaker can also fail.

How does a pacemaker work?

A pacemaker consists of a lead and pulse generator, which has a battery, a computer and wires that are connected to the heart nerves to make it work smoothly. These wires help the nerves to send messages and impulses to the heart muscles that make the heart contract. A pacemaker also helps in the following;

Helps to increase a slow heart rate
Improves heart functioning
Balances and regulates the heartbeat

A pacemaker usually lasts for up to ten years, depending on how you are using it. When the battery starts to run out, the pulse you generate will replace it.

What happens if a pacemaker malfunctions?How does a pacemaker fail?

The pacemaker performs very important functions for the body, but there are times when it does not work properly or fails. Therefore, the following are the signs and symptoms of a malfunction:

You may feel dizzy and nauseated
You may faint and remain unconscious for a long time
You may feel nervous and have an irregular heartbeat
You might feel muscle cramps
you have pain in the shoulder area
You may experience shortness of breath

Most often the pacemaker does not fail completely, and simply needs to be reprogrammed.

Why do pacemakers fail?,

Some reasons why a pacemaker may fail include a drained battery, loose wiring, circuit failure, which is a very rare occurrence, or a change in your physical condition. Most common household items do not interfere with the work of a pacemaker, but doctors usually recommend staying away from electric heating pads and blankets.

What can you do if your pacemaker stops working?

According to experts, you can take care of your health and your pacemaker, provided you do not pull, twist or push the generator. You can also tell doctors and dentists that you have a pacemaker before undergoing any procedures. If you feel it is not working, contact your cardiologist or electrophysiologist immediately. There are some situations when you need emergency care, including:

Hiccups that won’t stop
cramps in your abdominal or chest muscles
Pain, swelling, redness, or irritation at the implant site. These could be signs of infection
a constant feeling that your heart is skipping a beat
The feeling that your generator is loose in its pocket under your skin

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