How does pacemaker feel

There may also be some bruising where the pacemaker was inserted. This usually passes within a few days. Tell the staff if your symptoms are persistent or severe. Most people are able to go home on the same day they have the procedure.

Occasionally, some people stay a day or two in hospital. You'll need to arrange for someone to pick you up from hospital and take you home. Before going home, you'll be given a pacemaker registration card, which has the details of the make and model of your pacemaker.

Always carry the card with you in case of an emergency. You may also want to wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace engraved with important information, such as the type of pacemaker you have, a personal identity number and a hour emergency phone number.

If you have an ordinary driving licence, you can start driving again after 1 week as long as:. If you drive a large or passenger-carrying vehicle, you'll have to wait 6 weeks after your pacemaker is fitted before driving again. You may be able to feel the pacemaker and it may feel uncomfortable when you lie in certain positions, but you'll soon get used to it.

Modern pacemakers are now so small they're almost completely hidden by the chest tissue and are barely noticeable. It's best to avoid reaching up on the side you had your operation for 4 to 6 weeks. That means not hanging out washing or lifting anything from a high shelf, for example.

But it's important to keep your arm mobile by gently moving it to avoid getting a frozen shoulder. A physiotherapist can show you how to do this. You'll usually be able to do all the things you want to do after around 4 weeks.

The time you need off work will depend on your job. Your cardiologist will usually be able to advise you about this. Typically, people who have had a pacemaker fitted are advised to take 3 to 7 days off. People who drive for a living, such as bus and lorry drivers, won't be allowed to drive these types of vehicles for 6 weeks after the pacemaker is fitted.

You should avoid strenuous activities for around 4 to 6 weeks after having your pacemaker fitted. After this, you should be able to do most activities and sports. But if you play contact sports such as football or rugby, it's important to avoid collisions. You may want to wear a protective pad. Don't get your wound wet until your stitches have been taken out. After that, avoid wearing anything that rubs against the area of your wound, such as braces. Women may need a new bra with wider straps.

During this time, try to avoid sudden movements that would cause your arm to pull away from your body. Avoid causing pressure where your pacemaker was implanted. Women may want to wear a small pad over the incision to protect from their bra strap. Relatively soon after your surgery, you may be able to perform all normal activities for a person of your age.

Ask your doctor about how and when to increase activity. Getting on with your life Soon after your surgery, you may hardly think about your pacemaker as you go about your day. Bear in mind: Be physically active. Try to do what you enjoy — or what you feel up to — each day. Take a short walk, or simply move your arms and legs to aid blood circulation. Quit before you get tired. The right amount of activity should make you feel better, not worse.

Feel free to take baths and showers. Your pacemaker is completely protected against contact with water. Car, train or airplane trips should pose no danger. Stay away from magnets and strong electrical fields.

Learn more about how devices can interfere with ICDs and pacemakers. Tell your other doctors, dentists, nurses, medical technicians and hospital staff members that you have a pacemaker. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , naproxen Aleve , or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs unless your doctor says it is okay. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better.

You need to take the full course of antibiotics. If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off. Keep the incision dry while it heals. Your doctor may recommend sponge baths for about 7 days, but do not get the incision wet. Your doctor will let you know when you may take showers. After a shower, pat the incision dry.

Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on the incision, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid or rubs against clothing. Change the bandage every day. Do not take a bath or get into a hot tub for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.

Keep a medical ID card with you at all times that says you have a pacemaker. The card should include the manufacturer and model information. Wear medical alert jewellery stating that you have a pacemaker.

Check your pulse as directed by your doctor. Have your pacemaker checked as often as your doctor recommends. In some cases, this may be done over the phone or the Internet. Your doctor will give you instructions about how to do this. For example, call if: You passed out lost consciousness. You have trouble breathing. Have your battery checked at least every 6 months, or as advised by your healthcare provider, to make sure your battery does not get worn out.

The generator will need to be changed once the device has reached the elective replacement period just prior to the end of its' battery life. This is about every 10 years, depending on the type of device you have and how much it is used.

Monitoring device function and battery strength can sometimes be done using a device connected to your phone line. Or you may be able to transmit information to your healthcare provider over the internet. This is called remote monitoring. Ask your provider if this is an option for you. You may need to seek emergent care or call if you have any of the following:. Frequent or persistent palpitations the sense that your heart is fluttering or beating fast or hard or irregularly.

It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms may be a result of a problem with your pacemaker. However, they can also be unrelated to pacemaker function. Was this helpful? Yes No Tell us more. Check all that apply. Wrong topic—not what I was looking for.