What is Pacemaker Battery Change

A pacemaker battery usually lasts 5–15 years (6–7 years on average). A few times a year, you will be asked to visit your health care provider to have a full evaluation of your pacemaker.

When the battery is low, your pacemaker battery and generator will be completely replaced. Most often, this procedure is simpler than the first surgery because the wires (leads) that connect the generator to the heart are already in place.

There are many things that affect how long a pacemaker battery will last, including:

• The age of the pacemaker.
• The number of leads you have(1, 2, or 3).
• The pacemaker workload. If the pacemaker is helping the heart more often, the battery will not last as long.
• Power (voltage) settings.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had, especially the surgeries you have had since your last pacemaker was placed.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Any symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pain, trouble breathing, palpitations, light-headedness, or feelings of an abnormal or irregular heartbeat.
• Smoking habits. This can affect your reaction to anesthesia.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Bleeding.
• Bruising of the skin around where the surgical cut (incision) was made.
• Pulling apart of the skin at the incision site.
• Infection.
• Nerve damage.
• Injury to other organs, such as the lungs.
• Allergic reaction to anesthetics or other medicines used during the procedure.
• People with diabetes may have a temporary increase in blood sugar (glucose) after any surgical procedure.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking restrictions, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

General instructions

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
  • Taking a sip of water with any approved medicines on the morning of the procedure.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • The skin around the area of the chest will be washed with soap.
  • Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one your veins to give you medicine and fluids.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area where the pacemaker is located (local anesthetic).
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to prevent infection.
• Your health care provider will make an incision to reopen the pocket holding the pacemaker.
• The old pacemaker will be disconnected from the leads.
• The leads will be tested.
• If needed, the leads will be replaced. If the leads are functioning properly, the new pacemaker will be connected to the existing leads.
• A heart monitor and the pacemaker programmer will be used to make sure that the newly implanted pacemaker is working properly.
• The incision site will be closed. A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the pacemaker site.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until your health care team is satisfied that your pacemaker is working properly.
• Your health care provider will tell you when your pacemaker will need to be tested again, or when to return to the office for removal of dressing and stitches.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
• The dressing will be removed 24–48 hours after the procedure, or as told by your health care provider.

Summary

• A pacemaker battery usually lasts 5–15 years (6–7 years on average).
• When the battery is low, your pacemaker battery and generator will be completely replaced.
• Risks of this procedure include bleeding, bruising, infection, damage to other structures, pulling apart of the skin at the incision site, and allergic reactions to medicines or anesthetics.
• Most often, this procedure is simpler than the first surgery because the wires (leads) that connect the generator to the heart are already in place.

Pacemaker Battery Change, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After your procedure, it is common to have:

• Pain or soreness at the site where the pacemaker was inserted.
• Swelling at the site where the pacemaker was inserted.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Keep the incision clean and dry.
  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
  • You may shower the day after your procedure, or as directed by your health care provider.
  • Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the area. This may cause bleeding.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Activity

• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg) until your health care provider says it is okay to do so.
• For the first 2 weeks, or as long as told by your health care provider:
  • Avoid lifting your left arm higher than your shoulder.
  • Be gentle when you move your arms over your head. It is okay to raise your arm to comb your hair.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise.
• Ask your health care provider when it is okay to:
  • Resume your normal activities.
  • Return to work or school.
  • Resume sexual activity.

Eating and drinking

• Eat a heart-healthy diet. This should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein like chicken and fish.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for non-pregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• Check ingredients and nutrition facts on packaged foods and beverages. Avoid the following types of food:
  • Food that is high in salt (sodium).
  • Food that is high in saturated fat, like full-fat dairy or red meat.
  • Food that is high in trans fat, like fried food.
  • Food and drinks that are high in sugar.

Lifestyle

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Take steps to manage and control your weight.
• Get regular exercise. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as walking or yoga) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (such as running or swimming) each week.
• Manage other health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Ask your health care provider how you can manage these conditions.

General instructions

• Do not drive for 24 hours after your procedure if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Avoid putting pressure on the area where the pacemaker was placed.
• If you need an MRI after your pacemaker has been placed, be sure to tell the health care provider who orders the MRI that you have a pacemaker.
• Avoid close and prolonged exposure to electrical devices that have strong magnetic fields. These include:
  • Cell phones. Avoid keeping them in a pocket near the pacemaker, and try using the ear opposite the pacemaker.
  • MP3 players.
  • Household appliances, like microwaves.
  • Metal detectors.
  • Electric generators.
  • High-tension wires.
• Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have pain at the incision site that is not relieved by over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
• You have any of these around your incision site or coming from it:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth to the touch.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• You have a fever.
• You feel brief, occasional palpitations, light-headedness, or any symptoms that you think might be related to your heart.

Get help right away if:

• You experience chest pain that is different from the pain at the pacemaker site.
• You develop a red streak that extends above or below the incision site.
• You experience shortness of breath.
• You have palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.
• You have light-headedness that does not go away quickly.
• You faint or have dizzy spells.
• Your pulse suddenly drops or increases rapidly and does not return to normal.
• You begin to gain weight and your legs and ankles swell.

Summary

• After your procedure, it is common to have pain, soreness, and some swelling where the pacemaker was inserted.
• Make sure to keep your incision clean and dry. Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision.
• Check your incision every day for signs of infection, such as more pain or swelling, pus or a bad smell, warmth, or leaking fluid and blood.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting your left arm higher than your shoulder for 2 weeks, or as long as told by your health care provider.