Reasons to Consider a Pacemaker

Living with a heart issue can be unsettling, especially when you experience symptoms that disrupt your daily life. A known arrhythmia may add to your concerns, particularly when accompanied by symptoms like shortness of breath or fatigue.

If medications haven’t provided relief or your symptoms continue to affect you, know that the Heart Clinic of Hammond team can help evaluate whether a pacemaker may offer you support and improvement.

Dr. Ghiath Mikdadi and Dr. Farid Zayed offer procedures and treatments for heart issues, including electrocardiograms, exercise stress tests, and Holter monitoring to determine if you need a pacemaker.

How a pacemaker works

A pacemaker is a device that helps control your heart rate. It has a battery and wires that send tiny electrical signals to your heart, keeping it beating as it should.

Pacemakers help detect abnormal heartbeats and send signals to fix the rhythm. Often, they get used for both slow and fast heartbeats.

There are several types of pacemakers depending on the condition we’re treating. The main types of pacemakers are single-chamber, dual-chamber, and biventricular pacemakers.

These devices constantly monitor electrical activity to detect irregular rhythms and also send electrical impulses that contract the heart chambers and pump effectively.

Symptoms that a pacemaker relieves

We may recommend a pacemaker for those with certain arrhythmias that cause noticeable symptoms. Arrhythmias can affect how your heart pumps blood, which may lead to challenges in everyday life. Some symptoms include:

Dizziness

Dizziness is a frequent symptom of heart failure and arrhythmias due to decreased oxygenated blood that gets pumped to the body and brain.

Weakness

Weakness can also result from the heart not pumping oxygenated blood enough throughout the body.

Fainting

Arrhythmias may lead to fainting or passing out, especially when you have dizziness beforehand. It can happen as a result of severe heart failure or bradycardia, when the heart isn’t beating fast enough to circulate adequate blood volumes.

Fatigue

Severe fatigue happens with several heart issues, including heart failure and certain arrhythmias. The body isn’t getting the oxygenated blood it needs to function properly, which often makes you feel tired.

Shortness of breath

When the heart doesn’t beat correctly, oxygenated blood doesn’t reach the tissues, which can lead to shortness of breath.

Experiencing these symptoms does not always mean you need a pacemaker; we take time to evaluate your heart through careful diagnostic testing, striving to get the most suitable treatment plan for your needs.

Conditions that warrant a pacemaker

Many people qualify for a pacemaker with arrhythmias and other heart conditions. We utilize pacemakers for many conditions that affect the heart, including:

• Heart block
• Bradycardia
• Heart muscle damage
• Heart failure
• Atrial fibrillation
• Long QT syndrome
• Certain genetic conditions

We are committed to discussing your heart health and wellness to determine if a pacemaker is truly needed. Our team often explores conservative treatments, such as medications, before considering a pacemaker.

If heart issues continue to affect your daily life, remember a pacemaker may be a supportive option to improve cardiac function and help prevent future complications.

Please feel free to contact the Heart Clinic of Hammond team in Hammond or Amite, Louisiana, to discuss your heart health. You can also request an appointment with us online at your convenience.