What Is the Longest Someone Has Lived With a Pacemaker?
More than 22 million people worldwide live with heart failure or rhythm disorders, and for many of them, a pacemaker is a vital support.
Before getting a pacemaker, many patients wonder if the implant will cut their time short. The good news is that having a pacemaker does not shorten your life. In fact, it is meant to help you live a normal lifespan.
Most importantly: The lifespan of the pacemaker device is completely separate from your own. When the device’s battery eventually depletes, it does not affect your health—you simply receive a new battery during a routine outpatient procedure, and your life continues without interruption.
This guide will explain the longest someone has lived with a pacemaker, share stories of record-holders, describe how modern cardiac devices work, and give you key tips for managing your implant safely.
Record Breakers: The Longest Lived With a Pacemaker
An American woman who received her first implant in 1963. She has thrived through 20+ routine battery replacements.
The Guinness World Record for a single working device, set by Stephen Peech (UK), running flawlessly since 1983.
In 2023, Michael Landau of Israel safely underwent surgery, proving extreme age is not a barrier to quality pacemaker care.
When it comes to the longest someone has lived with a pacemaker, there are records for both patients and the devices themselves. Thanks to advances in technology, many people now live full, normal lives with their pacemakers.
The Longest Continuous Pacing (The Patient)
Guinness World Records keeps track of the devices, while medical journals focus on the patients. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that the longest continuous use of a pacemaker is by an American woman who has relied on one for over 62 years.
She was born in 1954 and had surgery at age 3 to fix a ventricular septal defect, which is a hole between the lower chambers of the heart.
The operation led to complete heart block, stopping her heart’s natural signals. She received her first pacemaker in 1963. After more than twenty battery replacements over sixty years, she is still alive and enjoying retirement.
Larry Graves also made history. In 1960, when he was 8 years old, he became the first child in the world to get a fully implanted pacemaker. His story, known as “The Boy with the Electrified Heart,” showed that children could live for decades with this technology.
The Longest Working Pacemaker (The Device)
Stephen Peech from the United Kingdom holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-working single pacemaker. His device, implanted in September 1983, worked perfectly for 37 years and 251 days.
The Oldest Person to Receive a Pacemaker
There is no age limit for getting a pacemaker. In 2023, Rachel Kafri received a pacemaker at age 102 after experiencing dizziness and fainting spells.
Her surgery, at Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, was widely reported as the oldest verified pacemaker implantation on record. This case shows the surgery is safe and effective, even for people over 100.
How Long Can Someone Live With a Pacemaker Today?
Doctors agree on one key point: having a pacemaker does not reduce your life expectancy.
If you get a pacemaker for a rhythm problem like bradycardia, which is a slow heartbeat, your life expectancy is usually the same as that of someone without a pacemaker. The device simply fixes the electrical issue.
However, your overall life expectancy depends on your heart condition. If you need a pacemaker because of advanced heart failure, a serious heart attack, or endocarditis (a dangerous infection in the heart), your outlook is determined by the heart disease, not the pacemaker.
What Exactly Do Pacemakers Do?
Your heart has its own natural pacemakers called the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node. These control your heartbeat and make sure blood flows properly to your organs.
If aging, medication, or a heart attack damages this system, an artificial pacemaker takes over. It keeps track of your heartbeat all the time. If your heart rate gets too low or irregular, the device sends gentle electrical signals to help your heart beat normally.
Modern pacemakers have sensors that monitor your movement and breathing. When you exercise, the pacemaker increases your heart rate to deliver the oxygen your body needs.
The Components of a Pacemaker Implant
A traditional pacemaker copies the job of your natural SA node using two main parts:
The Pulse Generator:
The pulse generator is the main part of the pacemaker. It sits in a small metal case, about the size of a silver dollar, and contains the battery and the computer components that control the electrical signals. It is usually placed under the skin of your chest, just below the collarbone.
The Leads (Electrodes):
These are thin, insulated wires that go from the pulse generator through your veins into your heart chambers, usually the right atrium or right ventricle. They carry the electrical signals to your heart and send information back to the generator.
Many patients today are eligible for leadless pacemakers. These tiny, pill-sized devices are implanted directly into the heart chamber—completely eliminating the need for wires or a surgical pocket under the collarbone.
Battery Life and Device Extraction
After surgery, a pacemaker battery usually lasts between 5 and 15 years, with most lasting about 10 years.
The battery is sealed inside the pulse generator to prevent leaks. When the battery is low, the entire generator is replaced as part of a routine procedure called device extraction.
Here is how it works:
Local Anesthesia
The procedure is usually done as an outpatient. Your doctor will numb the area over your pacemaker, meaning you will be awake but completely comfortable.
Incision and Removal
The surgeon gently opens the existing pocket, safely disconnects the leads, and removes the old, depleted generator.
Lead Testing
The wires (leads) already inside your heart are tested to ensure they are transmitting signals perfectly. They rarely need to be replaced.
Connecting the New Generator
A brand new generator with a fresh battery is securely attached to your existing leads and placed back into the chest pocket.
How to Protect Your Pacemaker
To help your pacemaker last and avoid electrical problems, you should follow a few simple daily precautions:
Using a smartphone is safe, but keep it at least 6 inches from your pacemaker. Avoid carrying your phone in a breast pocket directly over the implant.
Metal detectors won’t harm your battery, but may trigger alarms. Always carry your Pacemaker ID and avoid lingering inside full-body scanners.
Microwaves and TVs are completely safe. However, strictly avoid staying close to arc welders, large industrial motors, or running car engines for long periods.
Always let your healthcare providers know you have a pacemaker. Standard MRI machines utilize powerful magnets that disrupt older models, though newer devices are often “MRI-conditional.”
Potential Complications of Using a Pacemaker
Getting a pacemaker is a common and safe procedure, but it is still a type of surgery. Possible risks include:
- Pacemaker Infection: A pacemaker infection happens in about 1-2% of cases, usually in the first year. Signs are fever, pain, swelling, or redness near the chest incision. Infections need quick antibiotic treatment and sometimes device removal to prevent sepsis or endocarditis.
- Lead Dislodgement: Sometimes a wire can move out of place soon after surgery, and a minor procedure is needed to fix it.
- Pacemaker Syndrome: You might feel dizzy, get hiccups, or feel tired if the pacemaker’s settings do not match your heart’s rhythm. This is usually fixed with a quick, non-invasive adjustment at the clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has a pacemaker at the youngest age?
Larry Graves is historically recognized as the first child to receive a totally implanted pacemaker at age 8 in 1960. Today, however, pacemakers are sometimes implanted in newborn infants who suffer from congenital complete heart block.
How frequently should a pacemaker be changed?
The battery in your pulse generator will last 5 to 15 years. You will need a minor outpatient procedure to replace the generator when it runs out. The wires (leads) are usually left in place for life.
Can someone who has a pacemaker fly?
Yes. Traveling by plane is completely safe. Simply inform TSA agents that you have a pacemaker before walking through security, and carry your device identification card at all times.
Can a pacemaker be turned off legally?
Yes. In cases of terminal illness, if a patient is entering hospice care, the patient or their medical proxy can legally request that the pacemaker be deactivated. This is usually done non-invasively by a doctor using a clinical magnet to ensure a natural passing.
Primary Sources
- “Sixty years of continuous pacemaker dependency.” — HeartRhythm Case Reports. 2025.
- “On the Life of Larry Graves: The First Child Ever to Have a Totally Implanted Pacemaker.” — PubMed.
- “Longest working pacemaker (present day).” — Guinness World Records.
- “Nahariya hospital implants cardiac pacemaker in 102-year-old woman.” — The Jerusalem Post. 2023.
- “Pacemaker Longevity: The World’s Longest-Lasting VVI Pacemaker.” — PMC.
Editorial Disclaimer: The information provided in this article are rigorously researched and medically vetted for educational purpose. However, they do not replace professional clinical care. Always consult your cardiologist or care team before making medical decisions regarding your heart health and pacemaker management.
