Potential Benefits and Risks of a Pacemaker
Benefits
By regulating the heart’s rhythm, a pacemaker can often eliminate the symptoms of bradycardia. This means individuals often have more energy and less shortness of breath. However, a pacemaker is not a cure. It will not prevent or stop heart disease, nor will it prevent heart attacks.
Risks
Risks associated with pacemaker system implant, although uncommon, include infection at the surgical site and/or sensitivity to the device material, blood vessel or nerve damage, a collapsed lung, a bad reaction to the medicine used during the procedure,1 failure to deliver therapy when it is needed, or receiving extra therapy when it is not needed.
As with any surgery, after receiving an implantable pacemaker system you may experience limitations. In this case limitations may be in respect to magnetic and electromagnetic fields, electric or gas-powered appliances, and tools with which you are allowed to be in contact depending on the type of pacemaker you are given. Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information about using household appliances, cell phones and living with a pacemaker.
This treatment is not for everyone, and your doctor must prescribe it. Please talk to your doctor to see if this is right for you. Your doctor should discuss all potential benefits and risks with you. Although thousands of individuals benefit from the use of this treatment, results may vary.
Reference
- http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pace/risks.html