Pacemaker

Pacemaker services offered in Homestead, FL

As many as 3 million people around the world rely on the support of a pacemaker to maintain a regular heartbeat. The team at Cardiovascular Wellness Center in Homestead, Florida, is well-versed in pacemaker implant surgery and offers comprehensive care following the placement of the device at their offices in Homestead, Florida. Their team also provides diagnostic technologies on-site to determine if a pacemaker is the right treatment option for you. To find out more about the short-term and long-term benefits of a pacemaker, call Cardiovascular Wellness Center to schedule a consultation or request one online today.

What is a pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a small, implantable device that helps regulate your heart rhythm. The pacemaker uses electrical pulses of energy to stimulate your heart to beat at a normal rate.

In a healthy heart, the electric system controls the rhythm and rate of your heart. During a heartbeat, an electrical signal travels from the top of your heart to the bottom, stimulating the heart muscle to contract and pump your blood. The contractions of the heart chambers are what make up your heartbeat.

Why do I need a pacemaker?

You may need a pacemaker to treat an arrhythmia, a condition that describes a heartbeat that’s too slow (bradycardia) or too fast (tachycardia).

An arrhythmia makes it difficult for your heart to pump out enough blood to support function in your body, which can lead to chronic fatigue and persistent shortness of breath, among other symptoms. If left untreated, the condition can lead to serious heart-related complications and organ damage.

A pacemaker can also address other conditions that cause an irregular heartbeat. A pacemaker can:

Speed up a slow heartbeat
Control an abnormal rhythm
Normalize ventricular contractions
Regulate electrical signals between the upper and lower heart chambers

Additionally, pacemakers record and monitor your heart’s electrical activity and rhythm, making it easier for your provider to evaluate your heart health over time. They can use this information to determine if you need a temporary or a permanent pacemaker based on your heart function and existing health.

What happens during pacemaker surgery?

The surgical procedure to implant a pacemaker is minor. Your Cardiovascular Wellness Center specialist provides you with intravenous (IV) sedation to keep you comfortable and relaxed.

To connect the leads of the pacemaker to your heart, your doctor inserts a needle into a large vein near your shoulder. They thread the pacemaker wires through the vein and position them in your heart.

To place the pacemaker device, your Cardiovascular Wellness Center provider makes a small incision near your chest or abdomen and inserts the device, which contains a generator and battery, just under your skin. They connect the wires to the pacemaker and test it before closing the incision.

You may need to limit your activity for several weeks after surgery to prevent complications while you heal. Your physician provides you with comprehensive instructions for living with a pacemaker, such as avoiding strong magnetic fields that can interfere with the function of your pacemaker.

The Cardiovascular Wellness Center team continues to monitor your heart health and the function of your pacemaker during routine check-ups. They can determine when you need to replace the batteries in the device and can repair the pacemaker if the wires break or other issues arise.

If you have an irregular heartbeat, call Cardiovascular Wellness Center or request an appointment online today.