A permanent pacemaker is a small electronic device that doctor implants in a patient to treat symptoms of fatigue, fainting, and unconsciousness due to slow heartbeat from irreversible degeneration of the heart's electrical system.
A permanent pacemaker system consists of electrode wires and an electrical pulse generator with a battery and computer chip components. One end of the electrode wire will be inserted into a vein leading back to the heart's interior. The pacemaker will detect the heart’s electrical signal through this electrode wire. The other end is connected to a permanent pacemaker generator.
When the heart beats slower than the preprogrammed rate, the pacemaker will send electrical signals through the electrode wires to stimulate the heart to beat at the appropriate rate.
The implantation of a permanent pacemaker is a low-risk procedure that can be done under local anesthetics and sedatives without general anesthesia. The most common implant location is in the chest wall below the collarbone. Patients can return to everyday life and daily activities after the wound heals.
The doctor will make regular follow-up appointments with the patient to check the overall operation of the permanent pacemaker, its remaining battery charge, recorded operation log, and certain arrhythmias to adjust the program or recommend other necessary and appropriate diagnostics or treatment.
Patients with an implanted permanent pacemaker can use available electronic devices daily. But they should avoid devices with strong magnets generating magnetic fields near the pacemaker's generator.
Mobile phones should not be positioned closer than 6 inches (15 centimeters) from the pacemaker generator, especially with the newer mobile phone models manufactured with magnet components (for wireless charging), which may interfere with the pacemaker's operation.
