Pacemaker Implantation

What pacemakers are for

A pacemaker can be used to treat some heart conditions. These include:

  • heart block
  • heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
  • heart failure

It works by sending a small electrical signal that gets your heart to pump. This helps keep your heartbeat steady.

How a pacemaker is fitted

Before having a pacemaker, you'll have an assessment at the hospital. You may need to have blood tests, a chest X-ray or echocardiogram.

A specialist doctor (cardiologist) will explain what will happen during the procedure and can answer any questions you have.

What happens on the day

You'll have a pacemaker fitted in hospital by a cardiologist.

There are different ways to fit a pacemaker, but it usually takes about an hour. It can take longer if you're having another procedure at the same time.

If you're having a standard pacemaker fitted:

  1. You'll have local anaesthetic to numb your chest. You may also have medicine to help you relax (sedation).
  2. A small cut is made on the left side of your chest.
  3. The wires from the pacemaker are put into a vein and guided to your heart.
  4. The pacemaker is placed near your collarbone, under the skin and above the muscle.
  5. The cut is closed using stitches or glue.

After the procedure, you'll usually stay in hospital overnight.

If you have a slow heartbeat (bradyarrhythmia), you may be offered a leadless pacemaker. This is put into a vein and guided directly to your heart, meaning there are no wires and no cuts to your chest. You can usually go home on the same day.

Before you go home, the pacemaker will be checked to make sure it's working.

Recovering after the procedure

After you have your pacemaker fitted, you'll feel tired for the first few days and the left side of your chest will be sore.

Follow the instructions from your care team about caring for your wound, showering and dressing. They'll also give you advice about exercising safely and anything to avoid.

You'll usually be able to do activities involving gentle movements of your arm within the first few days. But full recovery can take a few weeks or months.

Do

  • keep your wound and stitches clean

  • do some shoulder exercises, as recommended by your care team

Don't

  • do not drive for at least the first week

  • do not carry heavy objects or do vigorous exercise for 4 to 6 weeks

  • do not lift your elbow above shoulder height for 4 to 6 weeks

Living with a pacemaker

You'll have regular follow-up appointments after having a pacemaker fitted. These will be:

  • about 6 weeks after the procedure at the pacemaker clinic
  • 3 to 6 months after the procedure with your cardiologist or the cardiology team
  • at least every 12 months after that at the pacemaker clinic

The battery for a pacemaker usually lasts 6 to 7 years. Your pacemaker will be checked more regularly when it's nearly time to change the battery.

Pacemaker ID cards

After having a pacemaker fitted, you'll be given a pacemaker ID card.

Show your ID card to:

  • any doctor, dentist or other healthcare professional before having a treatment
  • airport security - it's OK to go through security with a pacemaker, but they must not use a handheld metal detector over your pacemaker, and you can ask for a hand search instead

Pacemakers and driving

You must tell the DVLA and your insurance company that you have a pacemaker.

Find out more about pacemakers and driving on the GOV.UK website

Risks of having a pacemaker

Having a pacemaker fitted is a common procedure. It's unlikely that anything will go seriously wrong.

It's sometimes possible to get an infection afterwards.

Contact your pacemaker clinic or NHS 111 if:

  • your wound gets more swollen, tender or redder - redness may be difficult to see on brown or black skin
  • blood, pus or clear liquid is leaking from your wound
  • your temperature is very high, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
  • any symptoms you had before the procedure come back or get worse

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if:

  • you have severe difficulty breathing - you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out
  • your chest feels tight or heavy
  • you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
  • your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey - on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands
  • you feel suddenly confused
Find your nearest A&E

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

Further information

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