Pacemaker malfunction is a rare but serious complication that can occur in individuals who have a pacemaker implanted. A pacemaker is a small device that helps regulate the heart’s rhythm by sending electrical signals to the heart muscle, ensuring it beats at a steady rate. When a pacemaker malfunctions, it may not deliver the appropriate electrical signals, leading to various issues with the heart’s rhythm and function.
Common causes of pacemaker malfunction include:
Signs of pacemaker malfunction can vary depending on the specific issue, but some common symptoms include:
If you suspect your pacemaker is malfunctioning or if you experience any of the above symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Your healthcare provider will conduct tests and evaluations to determine if the pacemaker is functioning correctly and address any potential issues.
Regular follow-up visits with your cardiologist are essential to monitor the pacemaker’s performance and ensure it is working as intended. During these visits, the cardiologist will check the pacemaker’s battery life, review its programming, and assess the leads’ positioning and function.
If a pacemaker malfunction is detected, your cardiologist may need to reprogram the device, replace the battery, or perform a minor surgical procedure to correct any lead-related problems. In some cases of severe malfunction or damage, the pacemaker may need to be replaced entirely.
It’s essential to follow your cardiologist’s recommendations, report any symptoms or concerns promptly, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to support overall heart health and the optimal functioning of the pacemaker.
RCC Cardiac Urgent Care is accessible same-day care for non-life-threatening cardiac symptoms, including:
PLEASE NOTE: that this is NOT a traditional Urgent Care Center treating any and all ailments. Our facility is ONLY for cardiac related symptoms.
At our Penn Cardiology Specialty Network facility, you will will be cared for by our team of cardiac specialists, and receive access to our state-of-the-art diagnostic testing, including:
We will work with your primary or referring physicians to develop a plan of treatment that is suited to meet your individual needs.
We also provide accessible same-day care for non-life-threatening vascular symptoms, including:
As more and more complex procedures are performed in the outpatient and inpatient setting, the risk of perioperative cardiac complication increases. Regional Cardiology Consultants’ dedicated team specializes in providing the accurate and timely pre-op clearance required by patients.
Our services include:
Better yet, all services can be performed in the convenience of our offices. In most cases, we can have a preliminary report for your physician the same day as our consult and a folder containing everything you need to proceed with planned surgery including the transcribed pre-op consult, EKG with interpretation, and any other testing required to be cleared for your procedure.
Regional Cardiology Consultants is dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive, state of the art, compassionate, cost-effective and timely medical services in the promotion of improved health for the community of the greater Philadelphia and New Jersey areas.