Your Heart Pacemaker Surgery Guide and Aftercare
Before we begin to talk about heart pacemaker surgery, it is important to know what a pacemaker is and what function it performs.
A pacemaker is a tiny device that is used to control the irregular heartbeat, a slow one in particular. It is placed under the chest, and its implant requires a surgical procedure.
Below are the steps that will guide you about how this complicated surgery is performed.
Understanding Heart Pacemaker Surgery!
This surgery typically takes a few hours. During the implantation, the doctors are likely to keep you awake and just use local anesthesia to numb the part which is going to be incised. After using local anesthesia, your chest is cleaned with a special medicated soap.
Then the surgeon makes a tiny incision near your shoulder and inserts a small wire that goes into the major vein near your collarbone. This wire is then passed into your heart via the vein near the collarbone. With one end of the wire, the surgeon attaches an electrode to the lower chamber of your heart, that is, the right ventricle. Meanwhile, the other end of the wire is attached to a pulse generator that contains a battery and electrical circuits.
A pulse generator is also placed under the skin near the collarbone. For people with heart failure and with abnormal electrical systems, a biventricular pacemaker is suggested. In that case, a second lead is attached to the heart’s right atrium and a third lead to the left atrium.
The entire procedure is monitored on an X-ray machine. The surgery ends with stitches on the surgical slit.
Now you might become conscious in moving your body as you go about your day and feel a little uncomfortable, but with time, you will not even feel that something is fitted inside your body. However, the fact that this surgery requires aftercare can’t be ignored. So all you need to do is follow some tips to live a safe life.
Aftercare – the most important part
An essential piece of advice given to these patients is to be physically active. Going through surgery does not mean that you sway from all the normal activities. Instead, going on a short walk or stretching your arms and legs to aid blood circulation is vital for health.
But do not exceed when you get exhausted. For such people, exercise should only be done to make oneself feel better and fresher. As you feel tired, just stop doing it.
Take proper sleep. It will help you recover soon.
Take warm baths and showers as they pose no threat to your pacemaker because it is completely protected inside your body. But do this only after your stitches are fully healed. In fact, start taking baths only when your doctor allows you.
In the first 4 to 6 weeks, try to avoid raising your arm on the side where the pacemaker is placed. Also, do not vacuum, mop floor, or swim. Such activities might cause harm. Similarly, do not lift heavy things such as cartons, water cans, grocery bags, a heavy briefcase, or even a child. These things might cause pressure on your chest, which is not favorable. It is also better not to drive, play cricket, badminton and other sport games.
When it comes to diet, you don’t have to be conscious. Eat whatever you want to except for unhygienic items. Follow the normal diet. Just take extra juices and fruits in a large quantity.
Another important thing to do is not to skip your medicines. Take proper medicines on time. Do not go for ibuprofen, aspirin, and other pain killers unnecessarily, unless your doctor advises. Avoid self-medicating as it can lead to severe consequences. Just take medicines as prescribed by the physician.
Incision care is also significant. Do not let the incision get wet. Keep it dry while it is healing. And do not remove the tape or strip in the early days of surgery until it falls off.
Lastly, stay away from magnets and strong electrical fields.
Go for regular checkups!
Once you have the pacemaker fitted in your body, pay regular visits to your doctor. Although modern pacemakers are reliable and last long, you still need to keep a check on its battery and wires and make sure that they are working properly.
Regular visits are suggested because the physician will go through your medicines and your condition and see if everything is working smoothly.
With the help of a special analyzer, he will identify the strength of a battery. It will help alarm the doctor and the patient if the battery is weak. So before you notice any changes, the analyzer will update the current condition of the battery and wires.
And instead of listening to others, you may consult your doctor if you have any queries regarding your health, medicine, food, or anything. Therefore, these checkup appointments are always useful.
This awareness is really essential for everybody that goes through this heart pacemaker surgery. Many people have surgeries, but because they do not get access to such information, they face complications. Many patients think that they are totally fine after the placement of the pacemaker.
Well, it is true. They feel stronger, and their heart functions better than before. But they do not have the slightest idea about the consequences that their negligence can lead to.
If you follow the above golden tips, you can enjoy the benefits of this aftercare too. And for more information, you can schedule an appointment with our specialists at South Florida CardioVascular Specialists.
Remember, aftercare is better rather than facing problems and going through the replacement of the pacemaker very often. Health care is essential for everyone. It might feel challenging in the very beginning, but the advantages that you will get in return are lifelong.
