Who Needs a Permanent Pacemaker?

Your heart is one of the most crucial organs in the body. It pumps oxygenated blood to all tissues to keep you alive and healthy. The heart has an electrical system allowing it to function properly, but when something goes wrong, you may need permanent intervention.

Permanent pacemakers are one of the revolutionary treatments the Heart Clinic of Hammond team offers for various cardiac conditions that affect how your heart works.

Dr. Ghiath Mikdadi and Dr. Farid Zayed are both board-certified cardiologists who examine your heart to determine if a permanent pacemaker is right for you. If you require this device, our team is with you every step of the way to ensure your health and understanding of the procedure.

The facts on a permanent pacemaker

A permanent pacemaker is a medical device that a cardiologist places under the skin to help your heart beat regularly. It's a small battery with electrodes that we place under the skin on the right or left side of the chest.

The small battery sends electrical signals to the electrodes we connect to the heart muscle. These electrical signals keep the heart beating regularly and in a regular rhythm to ensure your body is healthy.

We provide various pacemakers depending on your heart condition and needs. The pacemakers we offer include the following:

Single chamber

A single-chamber pacemaker delivers electrical signals to only one part of the heart and usually supplies the ventricles.

Dual chamber

The dual-chamber pacemaker sends electrical signals to two chambers of the heart – typically one of the atria and one of the ventricles.

Bi-ventricular

If you have heart failure, you may require a bi-ventricular pacemaker, which delivers electrical signals to three heart chambers. The pacemaker sends signals to both ventricles, allowing them to pump together with the atria.

Do I need a pacemaker?

Not everyone who has heart problems can benefit from a pacemaker. Still, it's essential to understand if it's a good option for you. You may be a candidate for a permanent pacemaker if you have any of the following:

Heart attack

A heart attack can damage the chambers of the heart, causing it not to function correctly. If you have a history of a heart attack and are living with specific symptoms, you could benefit from a permanent pacemaker.

Heart failure

Heart failure happens when your heart doesn't beat properly to give the body the required blood supply. A pacemaker may be a promising treatment for people with moderate to severe heart failure.

Arrhythmias

Certain heart arrhythmias may require a permanent pacemaker, but not all require this intervention. Arrhythmias happen when your heart doesn't beat properly; they can cause serious complications.

Heart blocks

You could have a heart block when something damages your heart's electrical system. If you have a heart block, you may need a pacemaker to regulate your heartbeat.

Signs you may require a pacemaker

Some sure signs and symptoms may signal you need an appointment to discuss a pacemaker. If you have any of the following symptoms, a pacemaker could help you:

• Swelling in legs, ankles, and abdomen
• Chest pain or angina
• Bradycardia
• Tachycardia
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Irregular heartbeat
• Unexplained dizziness or fainting
• Unexplained confusion

Dr. Mikdadi and Dr. Zayed carefully evaluate your symptoms and order tests like an electrocardiogram, stress test, or holter monitoring to assess your heart and determine the best treatment.

To learn more about a permanent pacemaker, call the Heart Clinic of Hammond today to schedule a consultation with our team or request an appointment online.