Home Care After Permanent Pacemaker Insertion



This handout will help you learn how to care of yourself after a permanent pacemaker has been placed.  A nurse will go over this with you before you go home.  You will also see a video that explains how to care for yourself at home.

 

What is a pacemaker?

 

A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is placed in the body.  It is placed under the skin and attached to the heart with small wires.  It helps pace your heart rate.  It senses if the heart is beating too slowly or pausing too long between beats.  If it senses a slow rate or a pause, it will send timed electrical pulses to keep your heart rate steady. 

 

The pacemaker can work on different chambers of your heart.  There are lots of ways to program a pacemaker.  Your doctor or nurse will let you know how yours is programmed.

 

You had a pacemaker placed on___________ by Dr. _____________________.

 

The rate your pacemaker is set at is a range of ______________________.  It will vary with your activity level or your body’s needs.

 

The company that made your pacemaker is ___________________________.

 

Follow-up visits

 

  UW Health Heart and Vascular Care Device Clinic (608) 263-1530 

  Purpose:  2- 4 week check

  Location ________________________________

  Date____________________________________

  Time____________________________________

Incision care

 

1.   Leave the current bandage on.  Keep the incision clean and dry for 72 hours until ________________.

2.   You may shower after you take the big bandage off.  When you do shower, let the soap and water run down the incision.  Do not scrub or rub the site.

3.   The steri strips (the thin pieces of tape over the incision) hold the skin together as it heals. These should be left in place until they fall off on their own or the nurse will remove them at your first appointment. 

4.   Do not use any lotions or ointments over the incision.

5.   As the site heals, you may feel some itching; this is normal.  Do not scratch or rub the site.

6.   Look at the site daily for any signs of infection.

• redness
• swelling
• drainage
• warmth over the site
• increased tenderness
• fever (101.0° F or greater)

 

If you notice any of the above, you need to call the device clinic the same day. (608) 263-1530.

 

Pain

 

If you have pain at the site, you may take any mild pain reliever that has worked for you in the past such as Tylenol® or ibuprofen (Motrin®).

 

Activity restrictions

 

For the first 8 weeks

• On the side your device was put in, do not raise your elbow above your shoulder or do any other movements that cause you to stretch.
• Do not lift over 5 pounds of weight on your surgical side.
• Do not reach above your head or out to the side.
• No swimming, over head motions, or golfing for 3 months.

 

Your pacemaker ID card

 

You have been given a temporary ID card.  Carry your card with you at all times.  The device company will mail your permanent card to you in about 2 months.  Be sure to tell any person you see for your health and dental care that you have a permanent pacemaker.  This includes all doctors, nurses, dentists, and chiropractors.

 

Electrical hazards to be aware of

 

• Cellular Phones - should be 6 inches from your pacemaker, place the phone on the ear opposite of your pacemaker or use a headset.
• Theft detection devices –  these are often around the entrances of stores.  Walk through them as you normally would.  Do not linger near these. 
• Airport security - tell security personnel you have a device and show them your Medical Device ID card. 

 

Electrical hazards to avoid

 

• Working under the hood of a running car
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• Electrocautery – in the operating room or in the dentist’s office
• Arc welding
• Therapeutic radiation

 

Electrical appliances that are okay to be around

 

• Microwave ovens
• Hair dryers
• Electric blankets and heating pads
• Computers 
• Radios, TVs and stereos

 

This is just a partial list, for more information on this topic, you may call your device company.  The phone number is on the back of your identification card.

 

When to call the doctor or pacemaker nurse the same day

 

• If you have any signs of infection.  This would include: redness, swelling, drainage, warmth, or increased tenderness over the site, or fever (any temperature above normal).
• If you feel dizzy, light headed, or have a return of the symptoms that you had before your pacemaker was inserted.  
• If your heart rate drops below the programmed rate, call the Pacemaker Clinic.  If you can not get in touch with the clinic, call your local doctor.

 

UW Health Heart and Vascular Clinic, Monday to Friday, (608) 263-1530.

 

After hours, nights, weekend, and holidays, this number is answered by the message center.  Ask for the cardiology fellow on call.  Give the operator your full name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942.

 

Follow Up

 

Your pacemaker will be checked every 3 months.  In some cases, we may be able to alternate clinic visit with home remote checks.  We will discuss this further at your first visit.

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 03/03/2011

Copyright © 03/03/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5094

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