What is the life expectancy of a person with a pacemaker?

Depending on how much you need to use your pacemaker, the lifespan can vary from anywhere between five to 15 years, and it all depends on how often the pacemaker is delivering the heartbeats.

What are the signs of needing a pacemaker?

8 Signs You May Need a Pacemaker

You frequently get lightheaded or dizzy. ...
You are extremely fatigued. ...
You have palpitations, an intense pounding in your chest. ...
You fainted but don't know why. ...
You are short of breath or have difficulty breathing. ...
You have been diagnosed with bradycardia.

Can you live 20 years with a pacemaker?

Baseline patient characteristics are summarized in Table 1: The median patient survival after pacemaker implantation was 101.9 months (approx. 8.5 years), at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years after implantation 65.6%, 44.8%, 30.8% and 21.4%, respectively, of patients were still alive.

What are the side effects of having a pacemaker?

Pacemakers are generally safe; however, there may be few side effects present, which include:

Infection at the pacemaker's site.
Swelling, bleeding or bruising at the pacemaker's site.
A collapsed lung.
Damage to blood vessels or nerves near the pacemakers.
Allergic reaction to dye or anesthesia used during the surgery.

Is getting a pacemaker serious?

It can represent a life-changing treatment for heart conditions such as arrhythmias, which involve the heart beating irregularly. Inserting a pacemaker into the chest requires minor surgery. The procedure is generally safe, but there are some risks, such as injury around the site of insertion.

Can you live without a pacemaker?

Once someone stops breathing, his body can no longer get oxygen and the heart muscle will die and stop beating, even with a pacemaker. Therefore, the pacemaker will not prevent death and a patient will die from his terminal illness without turning off the pacemaker.

What should you avoid if you have a pacemaker?

Keep at least 6 inches (15 cm) away from your pacemaker:

Cellular phones, including PDAs and portable MP3 players with integrated cellular phones.
Devices transmitting Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi signals (cell phones, wireless Internet routers, etc.)
Headphones and earbuds. ...
Magnetic wands used in the game of Bingo.

What heart conditions require a pacemaker?

Conditions We Treat with Pacemakers Slow heart rhythm (bradycardia) Fainting spells (syncope) Heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Can you drink alcohol if you have a pacemaker?

Although you may not be aware of it, sedation can remain in your system for up to 24 hours and can cause you to be less alert then normal. If you have had sedation it is important that you do not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign legally binding documents within 24 hours of the procedure.

Can you lead a normal life with a pacemaker?

Living with a Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ICD. Pacemakers and ICDs generally last 5 to 7 years or longer, depending on usage and the type of device. In most cases, you can lead a normal life with an ICD.

Who makes the best pacemakers?

Medtronic is the larger company so they will have more reps, esp if you are in a remote area. Boston has had the most recalls, but not recently. Ask your dr what his recommendation is since he'll be the one programming your device. I find it odd when drs leave it up to us.