Your Pacemaker
Other Useful Information About Your Pacemaker
After Surgery
Everyone heals at a different rate. Your doctor will provide detailed information on what type of movement and lifting is allowed, as well as when you can return to normal activities.
Daily Living
Your doctor or nurse will provide guidance for daily living with your particular condition, but there are some general guidelines to follow after your recovery.
You can gradually return to your normal lifestyle once your doctor says it’s safe to do so. Most individuals can resume exercising after recovery.
However, you should avoid rough physical contact that could cause you to fall or hit your implant site, as this could damage the device or leads. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about specific activities.
Travel
Most people with implanted heart devices can travel freely unless they are restricted by their underlying medical condition. With a Vitatron pacemaker, you can travel with the knowledge that support for your heart device is available in 120 countries globally.
The key to traveling with confidence is to plan in advance. Before you leave on your trip, talk to your doctor about:
- Specific care or activity recommendations
- Steps to take if you experience discomfort or symptoms
- Finding a heart center, emergency service, or doctor at your travel destination
Airport Security
You may also have concerns about airport security systems. Before walking through an airport security gate, let security personnel know you have a heart device, and show your identification card. Then, walk through the archway at a normal pace and move away from the system if you feel any dizziness or rapid heartbeats.
Airport security systems are metal detectors, so the alarm may sound when it detects the metal case of your heart device. If airport security uses an electronic wand to clear passengers, ask the security attendant to avoid placing or waving the wand back and forth over your implanted heart device.
Medical and Dental Procedures
Before undergoing any medical procedure, always tell the doctor, dentist, or technician that you have an implanted heart device. They may need to speak with your heart doctor before performing the procedure, especially if the procedure is new or unusual. Some procedures may potentially affect the function of your heart device, and such procedures may require precautionary measures to prevent or minimize any impact on you or your device. Talk with your doctor to weigh any potential risk against the benefits of the medical procedure.
Support Groups
Some individuals find it helpful to join a support group. There are many support groups that can help with the transition to living with an implanted heart device.
Local hospitals, health maintenance organizations, community centers, and newspapers may provide information about support groups for individuals and their caregivers.
Product support
It's important for you to get the right answers to your questions about your implanted heart device. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or contact us at: +31 43 356 65 51
or via mail at :
Vitatron Holding B.V.
P.O. box 1220,
6201 M.P. Maastricht,
The Netherlands.
Getting a Replacement
Implantable heart devices are designed to provide therapy for years, but eventually you will need a replacement device.
During a pacemaker replacement procedure, your doctor will make a new incision over the old one and then remove the old heart device. He or she will then disconnect and check the leads to determine if replacement of the leads is also necessary; they may or may not be removed.
The leads are connected to the new heart device and its function is tested. The new heart device is then inserted, and the incision is closed. Finally, the device's therapies are programmed.
Depending on your age and condition, the entire replacement surgery may be done on an outpatient (same-day) basis or may require an overnight stay in the hospital.
When you get your heart device replacement, you may actually receive a newer model of heart device with new features and technologies.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.