How is a pacemaker put in place?
You will get medicine before the procedure. It helps you relax and helps prevent pain.
The doctor makes a cut in the skin just below your collarbone. The cut may be on either side of your chest. The doctor will put the pacemaker leads through the cut.
The leads go into a large blood vessel in the upper chest. Then the doctor will guide the leads through the blood vessel into the heart. The leads are placed in one or two of the chambers in the heart.
The doctor will place the pacemaker under the skin of your chest. The doctor will attach the leads to the pacemaker. Then the cut will be closed.
After pacemaker placement: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have trouble breathing.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are dizzy or light-headed, or you feel like you may faint.
- You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
- You hear an alarm or feel a vibration from your pacemaker.
- You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
- Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over your incision.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
- You have hiccups often or for a long time.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You have any problems with your pacemaker.
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