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Pacemaker
To regulate a heartbeat that’s too slow, Heartwise Cardiology in New York City offers several pacemaker options, including traditional pacemakers and advanced leadless pacemakers. Cardiology specialists David Harnick, MD, and Raymonda Rastegar, MD, also provide comprehensive care before and after your pacemaker implant surgery, including remote pacemaker monitoring. These services make the follow-up care of your cardiac device safe and seamless in the long run. Call the office in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan today or book an appointment online to find out if a pacemaker is right for you.
Pacemaker Q & A
What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a small device that helps regulate your heartbeat and prevent it from beating too slowly. The device sends electrical signals to your heart to correct the beat and only work when your heartbeat is too slow.
A generator creates the electrical pulses that go to your heart. The device also contains several insulated wires (leads) that fit inside one or more chambers of your heart.
Heartwise Cardiology also offers new leadless pacemakers, which are 90% smaller than traditional pacemakers. This type of device features a self-contained generator and an electrode system that your surgeon implants directly into your left ventricle.
The leadless pacemaker offers many benefits over traditional pacemakers, including a reduced risk for infections and lead damage.
Why would I need a pacemaker?
You may need a pacemaker to regulate your heartbeat if other therapies aren’t working well. Pacemakers may be a temporary treatment after a heart attack or surgery. You may also need a permanent pacemaker to correct a chronically slow heartbeat.
The providers at Heartwise Cardiology review your medical history, your existing symptoms, and your overall heart health to determine if you’re a candidate for a pacemaker. You may need an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, stress testing, or other diagnostic procedures to ensure you qualify for a pacemaker.
They also perform comprehensive health evaluations to ensure you’re healthy enough to undergo surgery to have the device implanted.
If you’re receiving a leadless pacemaker, the heart specialists implant the device through your femoral vein using a catheter. Unlike a traditional pacemaker surgery, this procedure requires no chest incisions or the creation of a special pocket in your body to hold a generator.
How long does it take to recover from pacemaker surgery?
You can expect to spend at least one night in the hospital following pacemaker surgery, so the Heartwise Cardiology providers can monitor your recovery. They also ensure the settings that they program into your pacemaker are a good fit for your needs.
If you have any pain, the providers can help you manage it. If you have incisions, they also teach you how to care for them.
When you’re ready to go home, you need to have someone drive you. The physicians provide comprehensive guidance to assist in your recovery process. You should avoid strenuous activity until your physician clears you.
You can expect to schedule a pacemaker checkup every 3-6 months, so the providers can assess the function of the device. If you have a return of any of your symptoms, you should call the office right away.
To find out if you’re a candidate for a pacemaker, call Heartwise Cardiology or book a consultation online today.