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What Is The Recovery Time After Having A Pacemaker Fitted?

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Posted on Tue, 5 Mar 2013
Question: what is the recovery time after having a pacemaker fitted and what are the limitations regarding work
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (2 hours later)
Hello,

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

Following surgery you should exercise reasonable care about the wound as it heals (main preoccupation is infection of site of incision and in-depth infection the heart). Ones your wound is healed completely, there will be follow-up sessions during which the pacemaker is checked using a "programmer" that can communicate with the device and allows a health care professional to evaluate the system's integrity and determine the settings such as pacing voltage output. You should have the strength of your heart analyzed frequently with echocardiography, every 1 or 2 years, to make sure the that placement of the right ventricular lead has not led to weakening of the left ventricle. Routine pacemaker checks are typically done in-office every six (6) months, though will vary depending upon patient/device status and remote monitoring availability.

A patient's lifestyle is usually not modified to any great degree after insertion of a pacemaker. There are a few activities that are unwise such as full contact sports and activities that involve intense magnetic fields. So you can continue your daily activities provided they do not involve working in areas that generate magnetic fields.

Hope this helps
Dr Nsah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (18 minutes later)
How long before I can return to work
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (4 minutes later)
You can start work a week or 2 after pace maker placement. The important thing is for check-ups which you have to follow up rigorously.
Your doctor's opinion need to be consulted as regarding when you can start work. He would be following you up and so should be informed before you can start work.

Regards
Dr Nsah
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Nsah Bernard

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1704 Questions

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What Is The Recovery Time After Having A Pacemaker Fitted?

Hello,

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

Following surgery you should exercise reasonable care about the wound as it heals (main preoccupation is infection of site of incision and in-depth infection the heart). Ones your wound is healed completely, there will be follow-up sessions during which the pacemaker is checked using a "programmer" that can communicate with the device and allows a health care professional to evaluate the system's integrity and determine the settings such as pacing voltage output. You should have the strength of your heart analyzed frequently with echocardiography, every 1 or 2 years, to make sure the that placement of the right ventricular lead has not led to weakening of the left ventricle. Routine pacemaker checks are typically done in-office every six (6) months, though will vary depending upon patient/device status and remote monitoring availability.

A patient's lifestyle is usually not modified to any great degree after insertion of a pacemaker. There are a few activities that are unwise such as full contact sports and activities that involve intense magnetic fields. So you can continue your daily activities provided they do not involve working in areas that generate magnetic fields.

Hope this helps
Dr Nsah