Heart failure is a common disease that affects over 22 million individuals globally and 4.9 million people in the United States.
The most popular form of treatment for people with issues of heart failure is the use of an electronic pacemaker.
Some studies sought to determine the factors that may influence survival in patients having pacemaker implants in hospitals.
What is the longest someone has lived with a pacemaker is the question we will be answering in this blog post, and we’ll also find out essential facts about pacemakers.
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Table of Contents
What is pacemaker
A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered electronic device. It is surgically inserted deep within the subcutaneous tissue and over the pectoralis muscles on the chest wall.
Two wires are attached, with one end to the pacemaker and the other to the heart. Pacemakers send electrical signals to the heart’s muscles through the wires.
The cardiologist’s pacemaker programmer determines the timing of the signal. Based on the heart’s ailment, cardiologists choose the course of treatment.
By sending impulses to the heart to beat faster or close to an average heart rate, “bradycardia,” often known as a slow heart rate, is managed.
A pacemaker is necessary for people with various conditions, including arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats.
The heartbeats of arrhythmia are aberrant and erratic. In several cases, pacemakers were implanted to regulate the rhythm.
The regular heartbeat is disrupted as people age, and slow heartbeats are prevalent. Such a heart rate needs to be modified because it isn’t giving essential organs enough blood flow.
Additionally, after an ischemia or heart attack, the heart muscles suffer damage that prevents them from pumping blood at a level close to normal.
Cardiologists may use a pacemaker to regulate the heart’s contraction and rate. Cardiologists frequently perform a quick procedure to install a pacemaker in the chest.
After having a pacemaker implanted, patients must follow the required safety precautions in their daily lives.
What is the longest someone has lived with a pacemaker?
What is the longest someone has lived with a pacemaker?
In his 30s, Barry Meldrum experienced heart issues, and he has had a pacemaker ever since. But despite his health issues, he has lived a happy and fulfilling life.
Barry Meldrum lost weight and fell ill at the age of 30. After a while, physicians discovered he had endocarditis.
He had open heart surgery to fix one of his heart valves destroyed by an infection. Barry developed an abnormal heartbeat following the surgery.
It’s relatively common after valve repair surgery. Usually, it subsides on its own, but in Barry’s case, it was more serious, and he now depends on a pacemaker to signal his heart when to beat.
What exactly do pacemakers do?
Pacemakers aid in regulating a patient’s heart rate.
Physicians implant them for the short-term treatment of a slow heartbeat following a heart attack, medication overdose, or surgery.
In certain instances, physicians even permanently insert pacemakers to manage heart failure and correct issues with a slow heartbeat.
Patients’ heartbeats are monitored by pacemakers, which, if it is abnormally slow, will boost the heart rate by providing the appropriate electric signals to the heart.
Additionally, most pacemakers have sensors that track patients’ body movements and respiration rates.
Pacemakers adjust the heart rate as people exercise to meet the increased demand for oxygen and blood flow in their systems based on the signals it detects in the body.
Components of pacemaker implants
The heart houses the body’s natural pacemakers. These pacemakers are referred to as atrioventricular nodes and sinoatrial nodes.
The SA node regulates the rhythm and intensity of the contraction of the atrium, upper chamber of the heart, ventricles, and lower chamber of the heart.
The machine creates the signal conveyed through the cable attached to the pacemaker.
One of the peacemaker’s components is a computer device that stores all the commands on the hard drive and transmits them according to how it has been programmed.
A pacemaker implanted and controlled electronically replicates the actions of a natural pacemaker.
A pacemaker and wire are inserted during surgery. The wires are referred to as electrodes or leads.
Leads or Electrodes- One or two wires or electrodes are surgically grafted in the right or left ventricle of the heart or, in a select few situations, both ventricles.
The heart muscles that contract after the heartbeats are communicated with by electric signals from pacemakers.
Pulse Generator– Alternative name for a pacemaker is a pulse generator. Batteries, a computer device, and an electrical circuit are all housed in a compact, metallic container known as a pulse generator.
A computer device produces the impulses or signals, which are then sent to the lead or electrode. Heart rate is controlled by electrical pulses that are delivered to the heart.
How long can someone with a pacemaker live?
Cardiologists, in general, agree that a pacemaker does not shorten a person’s life expectancy because it corrects the irregular heartbeat condition.
These days, even newborn newborns receive pacemakers and live for more than 35 to 40 years.
When pacemakers are implanted, older persons with bradycardia or an irregular heartbeat have a longer life expectancy.
Their attitude dramatically influences a person’s life. Since people who use pacemakers experience fewer or no symptoms while using them, pacemakers help people maintain a happy outlook.
After cardiac surgeons have successfully implanted a pacemaker, the battery should survive for at least 5 to 15 years or 10 years on average.
Physicians change the implanted pacemaker’s pulse generator if its battery begins to wear out.
However, the pacemaker leads or electrodes on the opposite side are still in situ. Replacement of the lead/electrode is rarely needed.
While changing a pacemaker’s battery requires minimal time and less recovery period. At the same time, lead removal and reinsertion require more time during surgery.
How to Increase the Pacemaker’s Life Expectancy?
A pacemaker has a lifespan of roughly 10 years on average.
Depending on usage frequency and a few other conditions that could lead to an unwanted discharge of electrical power, pacemakers may last for 15 years or longer.
The majority of cardiologists ascertain that pacemakers will last longer than the average lifespan of those who use them.
Therefore, a carer must take the required precautions to increase the battery life of a pacemaker.
Mobiles
Today, almost everyone uses a mobile phone. Keep your phone away from the pacemaker and from being too close. Mobile phones should never be turned on or off near a pacemaker.
Security Systems
When you go through metal detectors at airports or security, pacemaker batteries won’t drain needlessly.
Using metal detectors repeatedly or in prolonged proximity to metal detectors should be avoided. The pacemaker implant won’t be affected by passing through any metal detector at an airport.
Simply put, you should keep the area of the implant away from toasters, microwaves, Televisions, radios, electric duvets, electric drills, and other similar devices.
Problems with the pacemaker
Your pacemaker can malfunction, just like any technological equipment. It is referred to as a pacemaker error. A pacemaker can malfunction if:
- The lead is pushed out of place
- The pulse generator’s battery dies
- The pacemaker’s control circuitry incurs damage after being subjected to powerful magnetic fields
- Improper programming of the pacemaker
Your pacemaker may be malfunctioning if:
- Your pulse changes to a faster or slower rate
- dizziness
- hiccups
- fainting
If you suspect your pacemaker may have malfunctioned, seek medical attention right away.
Sometimes, a pacemaker can be adjusted remotely through wireless signals or magnets. If not, the pacemaker must be taken out and replaced.
Pacemaker infection
A pacemaker infection can happen to certain persons who have them. It occurs within the first year of the implant.
A high body temperature, pain, inflammation, and redness near the pacemaker site, are signs of an infection.
If you have any concerns that you may have an infection, speak with a medical professional.
Antibiotics are routinely used to treat pacemaker infections when a pacemaker is surgically removed and then replaced.
Untreated infections can spread to your lungs and result in sepsis, endocarditis, and pneumonia.
FAQs
Who has a pacemaker at the youngest age?
Larry Graves was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect at 22 months, which carries a risk of early childhood death. He underwent corrective surgery at 8, becoming the first child in the world to get a pacemaker wholly implanted.
How frequently should a pacemaker be changed?
The battery in your pacemaker ought to last for five to fifteen years. You’ll require surgery to change the battery when it stops functioning. Compared to having your pacemaker implanted, changing the battery is frequently quicker and leaves less time for recovery.
Can someone who has a pacemaker fly?
With the proper preparation and prior medical consultation, traveling with a pacemaker is unquestionably safe. Your doctor will give you advice on how to travel safely and comfortably. With a pacemaker, you shouldn’t have any issues traveling by plane.
Can a pacemaker be turned off legally?
Pacemakers often do not need to be turned off in terminal illness unless the patient or their family asks for it; it usually occurs when people believe the device is prolonging death. Primary care doctors can magnetize off old pacemakers.
What is the longest someone has lived with a pacemaker? Numerous disorders altering the electrical system of patients’ hearts have shown to benefit from pacemakers as standard treatments.
Pacemakers can alleviate a wide range of symptoms, such as fainting, lightheadedness, and weariness, simply by preventing a slow heartbeat rate.
A lot of pacemakers can automatically adapt to a person’s heart rate to meet their level of physical activity, allowing them to resume an active lifestyle.
