A pacemaker is a medical device that monitors your heartbeat’s rhythm, sending electrical pulses to keep the heart in normal rhythm. Dr. Raveen R. Arora, MD, FACC, is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in internal medicine and invasive cardiology. He maintains a pacemaker clinic at his private practice in Anaheim, California. Dr. Arora and the skilled staff monitor your heart condition and the function of your pacemaker. Call the office today to schedule your pacemaker consultation.
request an appointmentDo I need a pacemaker if I have an abnormal heartbeat?
Not everyone with an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) needs a pacemaker. Dr. Arora will recommend a pacemaker if your heart beats too slowly (bradycardia) or too fast (tachycardia).
People with a weak heart due to heart failure or muscle damage following a heart attack could benefit from a pacemaker.
How does a pacemaker work?
A pacemaker is a medical device that uses mild electrical pulses to control the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat. The two types of pacemakers are:
Traditional pacemaker
A traditional pacemaker is made up of a pulse generator to create the electrical pulse, wires placed in the veins to send electrical pulses to your heart, and electrodes to monitor your heartbeat.
A surgeon places the generator in your chest or abdomen and uses wires to connect it to the electrodes placed inside your heart’s chambers.
Wireless pacemaker
Wireless pacemakers are devices in which the generator and electrodes are all in one device placed inside one of your heart’s chambers.
When should I see a cardiologist for pacemaker care?
Dr. Arora talks to you about pacemaker care before placing the device. Most patients need a complete check of their pacemaker about six weeks after placement and then follow-up visits every 3-6 months.
You need frequent follow-ups for pacemaker care to monitor the pacemaker’s battery so that Dr. Arora can evaluate and adjust the pacemaker’s electrical pulses to improve heart health.
What happens during a pacemaker evaluation?
Dr. Arora talks to you about your health and asks about possible symptoms you might be having. He then uses an external computerized device that communicates with your pacemaker, similar to how your remote control communicates with your TV.
The external device allows Dr. Arora to test your pacemaker and reprogram it when necessary. At your follow-up visits, the external computerized device lets him see how your pacemaker has been functioning.
He also checks battery life and requests a replacement when needed. Most pacemaker batteries are replaced every 5-7 years.
Call the office of Dr. Raveen R. Arora, MD, FACC, to learn more about the pacemaker clinic.