Pacemaker Implantation Surgery: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

A pacemaker is a tiny, battery-operated device that ensures your heart beats at the right speed. Surgery is required to implant the pacemaker, usually beneath the skin near your collarbone. It's also known as a cardiac pacing device.

A pacemaker implant is a small device that weighs around 20 g to 50 g and is the size of a matchbox. It has a pulse generator with a battery, a tiny computer circuit, and a few wires called pacing leads. This system is attached to the heart and it emits signals through the wires. The pacing rate or the rate of electrical impulses can be adjusted as per the requirement of the body and be accordingly programmed. It can sense if a heartbeat is missed or if the heart is beating too slowly. Accordingly, it starts sending a steady signal to normalize the beating of the heart. If the beats are normal, then it simply does not send any signal.

A pacemaker might be necessary if:

• You have chronic heart failure, which is characterized by a prolonged, weak, or irregular heartbeat.
• A pacemaker only activates when it detects irregular heartbeats. For instance, the pacemaker can adjust the heartbeat by sending electrical signals if it beats too slowly.

Pacemakers come in various types:

• Single Chamber Pacemaker: Sends electrical signals to the lower right chamber of the heart.
• Dual Chamber Pacemaker: Sends electrical signals to both the upper and lower right heart chambers.
• Ventricular Pacemaker (Cardiac Resynchronization Pacemaker): Designed for individuals with heart failure and a slow heartbeat.Stimulates both lower heart chambers to strengthen the heart muscle.

Some of the symptoms observed in patients requiring pacemaker implantation are:

• Bradycardia
• Tachycardia
• Uncontrollable fatigue
• Dizziness experienced throughout the day
• Shortness of breath
• Acute chest pain
• Palpitation and fluttering of the heart (arrhythmia)