Preparing for pacemaker surgery

Getting a pacemaker may sound daunting, but it’s usually a very safe procedure with a low risk of complications.

We’ve put together this guide so you know what to expect, how to prepare and how to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.

What is a pacemaker and why do I need one?

A pacemaker is a small device with two parts — a generator and wires (leads, or electrodes) — that's placed under the skin in your chest to help control your heartbeat.

You may need a pacemaker for a number of reasons — usually because the heart's rhythm is abnormal. This is called arrhythmia, and may be caused by:

• Normal aging of the heart
• A heart attack that damages the heart muscle
• Some genetic conditions.

Pacemaker surgery is a minor procedure

Pacemaker implants are generally performed by a heart specialist, and the most common way to fit a pacemaker is transvenously.

Medibank Medical Adviser Dr Yohan Nathan said that many people immediately think of open heart surgery when it comes to cardiovascular procedures, but pacemaker surgery is much less invasive.

“With transvenous implants, the pacemaker’s generator is fitted into a small pocket between your skin and chest muscle, and the wires are inserted into a vein. The wires are then guided along the vein into the correct chamber of your heart using x-ray scans.

“The procedure usually takes about an hour or two. It is generally carried out with a local anaesthetic, and you may be given a sedative to make sure you’re relaxed throughout the surgery.”

Most people can go home the day after surgery is performed.

Preparing for surgery

Before surgery you’ll have an appointment with your specialist to make sure you’re fit for surgery, discuss the procedure and ask any questions.

“It’s important to raise any questions or concerns you have before you have the procedure,” said Dr Nathan. He also emphasised the importance of improving your health and fitness as much as possible before surgery.

“Stopping smoking if you can, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will improve the speed of your recovery and reduce the risks of complications,” he said.

“With the right preparation, it shouldn’t be long until you're back to your normal routine.”

At Medibank, we know that going to hospital can be a challenging time. Did you know that if you are a Medibank member with hospital cover, you can call a Medibank nurse with any health question you or your family may have, 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Our nurses can help you in the lead up to your hospital stay to understand your surgery. They can also assist after you get home with any recovery and rehab queries. To speak to a Medibank Nurse call 1800 644 325. You can also get more information and advice about preparing for hospital and recovering well here.