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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Being 100% Dependent On Pacemaker Mean?

I am a 60 year old female. Last year I had a 4th degree heart block and had a pacemaker placed. 6 months later I had my second open heart surgery. I had my aortic & my mitral valves replaced with tissue valves (bovine) My other 2 valves were repaired as well. I just had my device check and was told that I now am 100% pacemaker dependent. What exactly does that mean?
Mon, 25 May 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
Our heart normally generates electrical impulses that are spread through the heart via a specialised path. Usually patients that have pace make implanted have some activity, and can survive short periods even if the pace make falls. In your case totally dependant means that the hearts impulses are no more sufficient to keep your heart beating and you must have the pace maker functioning at all times. What's important for you to remember is that you should keep good care of your self and the pace maker, and avoid strong electromagnetic waves at all times (like metal detectors installed at airports). And you should also make sure tge batteries of your pace maker don't run out, this can be done by visiting your doctor regularly.
Thank you.
Regards
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What Does Being 100% Dependent On Pacemaker Mean?

Hello, Our heart normally generates electrical impulses that are spread through the heart via a specialised path. Usually patients that have pace make implanted have some activity, and can survive short periods even if the pace make falls. In your case totally dependant means that the hearts impulses are no more sufficient to keep your heart beating and you must have the pace maker functioning at all times. What s important for you to remember is that you should keep good care of your self and the pace maker, and avoid strong electromagnetic waves at all times (like metal detectors installed at airports). And you should also make sure tge batteries of your pace maker don t run out, this can be done by visiting your doctor regularly. Thank you. Regards