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An artificial pacemaker is a small, battery-powered medical device implanted in the chest to regulate and control irregular heartbeats. You need surgery to get a pacemaker machine. The device is placed under the skin near the collarbone.
It is also important to note that a pacemaker sends small electrical impulses to maintain a steady rhythm, the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator is that the latter delivers an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm for life-threatening conditions such as a cardiac arrest.
Drummer of a band, pacemaker of the heart
Sometimes, the heart's natural rhythm gets disrupted. This can happen due to age, heart disease, or other reasons. When your heart dances to its own beat, it might not pump enough blood to keep you feeling your best.
Picture your heart as a drummer in a band, setting the beat for your body's dance of life. But sometimes, the drummer gets a little off-track, throwing things off balance and causing you to feel tired or dizzy. That's where pacemakers step in – they're like a metronome dictating the tempo of your heart rate, ensuring every beat is perfectly timed, so your body can keep grooving smoothly.
The function of a pacemaker is to send tiny electrical signals to your heart, telling it when to beat. It's like a small device with a big job.
During the pacemaker surgery, the device is placed under your skin, usually near your collarbone, connected to your heart with tiny wires, also called leads.
The strategic location of the pacemaker implantation makes it easily accessible for doctors during checkups and doesn't interfere with your daily activities.
Constantly monitoring your heart's rhythm, the pacemaker serves as a vigilant listener.
When it detects a slow or irregular rhythm, it intervenes by sending a small signal, guiding the heart to maintain a proper and consistent beat. This proactive approach contributes to overall cardiac health.
Similar to selecting the tempo on a metronome, a pacemaker has the ability to adjust the timing of your heartbeats. It aligns with your body's needs, ensuring synchronization with varying activity levels.
During exercise, when your heart rate naturally quickens, the permanent pacemaker steps back and lets your natural rhythm take the lead.
But when you're resting or sleeping, it gently adjusts the pace to a slower, more relaxed beat, ensuring optimal efficiency for every activity.
In the event of a missed beat or an unexpected pause in your heart's rhythm, the pacemaker functions as a reliable backup.
Its prompt intervention guarantees continuity, preventing disruptions and ensuring the heart's steady rhythm—a reassuring role akin to a reliable backup drummer in a musical performance. The use of a pacemaker ensures cardiac health.
Read more about pacemaker implantation and precautions after pacemaker surgery to ensure you can go through the procedure worry-free.
When your heart’s rhythm falters, the consequences can be serious. Fortunately, modern medicine offers a helping hand in the form of pacemakers. But how do you know if you need a pacemaker? Here are three key pointers to watch out for:
Imagine your heart stumbling, skipping a beat or two, then racing to catch up. This irregular rhythm, medically known as arrhythmia, can manifest in various ways.
You might feel a fluttering sensation in your chest, like butterflies trapped inside. Dizziness and lightheadedness are common, as is fatigue, resulting from your body not receiving enough oxygenated blood.
In severe cases, you might even experience syncope, a temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood flow to the brain.
When your heart struggles to keep pace, your body compensates by taking shallower, more frequent breaths. This breathlessness, even while at rest, can be a worrying sign.
Similarly, activities you used to enjoy, like climbing stairs or brisk walking, might now leave you gasping for air. This reduced exercise tolerance is another indication that your heart's electrical system needs support.
While chest pain can have various causes, a persistent squeezing or tightness in your chest, especially accompanied by a rapid or forceful heartbeat (palpitations), can be a warning sign of an underlying heart rhythm problem.
Don't ignore these symptoms; seek medical attention immediately to get a proper diagnosis.
When your heart's rhythm needs a little fine-tuning, pacemakers step in to guide the beats, energizing your days and keeping the dance of life going smoothly. Pacemakers guide a symphony of health and vitality.
In India, the cost of a pacemaker can vary depending on the type of pacemaker. Basic pacemakers may be more affordable, while advanced models with additional functionalities could be more expensive. Single-chamber pacemakers are generally less costly than dual-chamber or biventricular pacemakers, which offer more sophisticated pacing options.
Read more about the different pacemaker types, which one best suits your particular needs and its maintenance and intricacies.
The price range for pacemakers in India can start from a few thousand rupees for basic models and go up to several lakhs for high-end devices. It's crucial to consider factors such as the brand, features, and the hospital's charges for the implantation procedure when estimating the overall cost. Additionally, ongoing medical check-ups and potential future adjustments to the pacemaker settings may contribute to the long-term expenses associated with maintaining the device. It's advisable to consult with healthcare professionals and insurance providers to better understand the overall financial implications.
Listen to your heart! Schedule a checkup with Dr. Manjinder Sandhu for personalized cardiac care as early intervention is crucial. Your heart deserves only the best.
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