Pacemaker Care in Hyderabad

What Is a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that is placed under the skin, usually near the collarbone, to help the heart maintain a normal rhythm. It sends gentle electrical pulses to the heart when it beats too slowly or when there is a delay in the heart's natural electrical signals.

Pacemakers are one of the most commonly used cardiac devices in the world. Modern pacemakers are very small, reliable and safe. They work only when needed, meaning the device monitors your heart continuously and delivers a pulse only when the heart rate drops below a set level.

At Vijaya Heart Centre, our cardiology team provides complete pacemaker care, from initial evaluation and implantation to regular follow-up and device monitoring.

Who May Need a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker may be recommended if you have:

Bradycardia: A heart rate that is consistently too slow, causing symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, fainting or shortness of breath
Heart block: A condition where the electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of the heart are delayed or blocked
Sick sinus syndrome: A problem with the heart's natural pacemaker (the sinus node) that causes irregular or slow heart rates
Atrial fibrillation with a slow ventricular response: Where the lower chambers of the heart beat too slowly due to AFib
After heart surgery: Some patients develop a slow heart rhythm after cardiac surgery and may need a temporary or permanent pacemaker
Cardiac arrest survivor: In certain cases, a pacemaker or a combined pacemaker-defibrillator (CRT or ICD) may be recommended

Your cardiologist will perform an ECG, echocardiogram and possibly a Holter monitor to determine whether a pacemaker is the right option for you.

How Is a Pacemaker Implanted?

Pacemaker implantation is a common procedure performed under local anaesthesia, which means you will be awake but the area around the implant site will be numbed. Here is what to expect:

Preparation: You will be asked to fast before the procedure. Blood tests and an ECG are usually done on the same day.
Incision: A small cut is made below the collarbone to create a pocket where the pacemaker will sit.
Lead placement: Thin wires called leads are guided through a blood vessel to the heart using X-ray imaging. These leads connect the pacemaker to the heart.
Device connection: The leads are connected to the pacemaker, which is placed in the pocket under the skin.
Testing: The cardiologist tests the device to make sure it is working correctly before closing the incision.

The procedure typically takes about one to two hours. Most patients stay in hospital overnight for observation and go home the next day.

Life After Pacemaker Implantation

Most patients feel significantly better after a pacemaker is implanted, especially if they had been experiencing symptoms from a slow heart rate. Activities like walking, light exercise and most daily tasks can usually be resumed within a few days.

After discharge, you will receive a pacemaker identification card that you should carry at all times. Airport security and certain medical equipment may detect the device, so always inform staff when passing through security checkpoints.

Regular follow-up visits are essential. During these appointments, your cardiologist checks the device to ensure it is functioning properly, reviews your heart rhythm and makes adjustments if needed. Most modern pacemakers can also be checked remotely, which means some follow-up visits can be done from home.

You will also be given guidance on activities to avoid in the first few weeks, such as heavy lifting or movements that strain the shoulder on the side of the implant. After the initial healing period, most patients can return to a full and active life.

Ongoing Pacemaker Monitoring

Pacemaker monitoring is an important part of long-term care. The device stores information about your heart rhythm, which your cardiologist reviews at each follow-up. This data helps detect any changes in your heart condition early.

Battery life varies depending on the type of pacemaker and how much it is used, but most pacemaker batteries last between eight and twelve years. When the battery runs low, a simple procedure is done to replace the device while keeping the existing leads in place if they are still working well.

FAQs About Pacemaker Care

Pacemaker implantation is considered a minor procedure rather than open-heart surgery. It is performed under local anaesthesia through a small incision, and most patients recover quickly.

No, the electrical pulses from a pacemaker are too mild to be felt. You will not notice when the device delivers a pulse. You may feel an improvement in symptoms like dizziness or tiredness as your heart rate is regulated.

Yes, you can use a mobile phone. However, it is generally recommended to hold the phone on the opposite side of the body from the pacemaker and keep it at least 15 centimetres away from the device. Modern pacemakers are well shielded, but this simple precaution is wise.

Follow-up visits are usually scheduled one to two weeks after implantation, then at three months, six months and once a year thereafter. Remote monitoring may reduce the number of in-person visits needed.

Your follow-up visits include battery checks. When the battery is nearing the end of its life, your cardiologist will schedule a device replacement procedure, which is a simpler process than the initial implantation.