Cardiac pacemaker is an electronic therapy device implanted in the body, through the pulse generator to send out the electrical pulse provided by the battery, through the conduction of the lead electrode, stimulate the myocardium in contact with the electrode, so that the heart is excited and contracted, so as to achieve the purpose of treating cardiac dysfunction caused by some arrhythmias.
That is, when the heart has caused irreversible pathological changes for some reason, a pacemaker may be the most effective and almost the best way to do it. For example, when the heart has high-grade atrioventricular block and sinus node dysfunction, a pacemaker is the most effective method.
However, you must not think that if you install a pacemaker, everything will be fine, and you can continue to squander your health. Once a pacemaker is installed, there are a lot of things to keep in mind. And, most likely, there are more things that need attention. If it is not fundamentally changed, the pacemaker may not be able to withstand the weight of life.
Below, we will explain to you the precautions after installing the pacemaker from a professional point of view:
1. Do not move vigorously after surgery to prevent electrode dislocation. During hospitalization, medical staff should be consulted on body position, movement and even how to lie down;
2. Maintain emotional stability, feel comfortable, and maintain an optimistic attitude towards life. The heart itself has a problem, which cannot withstand high excitement or agitation, and it is not advisable to exercise a large amount;
3. The patient himself should learn to count the pulse by himself, and if the pulse rate is inconsistent (slower) than the set frequency, it may be that the pacemaker battery is insufficient, and the attending physician should be contacted in time for replacement;
4. Does the heart rate remain the same after the pacemaker is installed? This mainly depends on the type of pacemaker installed, taking sick sinus syndrome as an example, if the pacing-dependent patient is fitted with a single-chamber pacemaker, the heart rate will remain the same, and the heart will beat as many times as the machine adjusts. It is not right to be fast or slow, and it is necessary to contact the attending physician in time for diagnosis;
5. Exclude other factors, if some new symptoms appear, such as chest tightness, head swelling, edema, fatigue, etc., it should be considered that there is an unsuitable situation, which is called pacemaker syndrome, and the attending physician can be contacted to study the treatment plan;
6. After the pacemaker is implanted, if there are symptoms before installation, such as fainting, wheezing or inability to walk, etc., it is a malfunction of the pacemaker and you should seek medical attention immediately;
7. When seeking medical treatment for other problems, the doctor should be informed that there is an artificial pacemaker installed on the body, such as the implementation of MRI examination or other examinations and treatments that affect the function of the pacemaker;
8. In life, do not massage or frequently touch the pacemaker implant site, keep the skin clean and dry, reduce friction, check whether the part has inflammatory reactions or bleeding such as redness, swelling, heat, pain, etc., and seek medical attention immediately if there is discomfort;
9. Avoid strenuous exercise, the upper limb equipped with a pacemaker should avoid excessive force or excessive amplitude (such as back, carrying heavy objects, playing tennis, using heavy tools, etc.), so as not to affect the function of the pacemaker or make the electrodes fall off;
10. Patients should avoid going in and out of places with high electricity (high voltage electric field) and strong magnetic field, and stay away from some household appliances with strong radiation or interference and hospital physiotherapy equipment, so as not to affect the pacing function or cause damage to the pacemaker;
11. Patients should carry and properly keep the pacemaker implantation card (with pacemaker model, relevant parameters, installation date, etc.) or be able to clearly express the pacemaker information, so that the attending physician can obtain the pacemaker information when receiving the consultation. In addition, it is also convenient to pass through the metal detector inspection when boarding;
12. Regular follow-up to determine the function of the pacemaker, and professional physicians can accurately assess the working status of the pacemaker and the condition of the battery.
In short, installing a pacemaker is not everything, health is your own. A pacemaker only guarantees that the heart can still pace, but it does not guarantee that there are no problems elsewhere in the body. If you continue to squander your body or don't pay attention to your health, the pacemaker can't do anything. For the health of your family and friends who have a pacemaker installed around you, please pass this knowledge on to them as soon as possible!
Wu Xiaoyuan, Department of Internal Medicine, Guangdong Provincial First Invalids Hospital
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