Am I a Candidate for a Pacemaker?

Pacemakers are most often recommended for people whose heart beats too slowly, pauses for too long, or has difficulties sending electrical signals from the upper to the lower chambers.

Chinatown Cardiology, with four New York City locations, customizes treatment strategies that may include pacemakers to address irregular heartbeats and their symptoms.

Our experienced cardiology team also conducts in-house diagnostic testing to identify the cause of your heart-related issues. We can review your current health needs to determine if a pacemaker is the appropriate next step in your treatment plan.

Potential candidates for a pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small, implanted device that helps regulate the heartbeat when the heart’s natural electrical system isn’t working. It’s not a defibrillator; it doesn’t restart the heart. Instead, it sends gentle electrical signals to help the heart beat at a safe, reliable rhythm.

You may be a candidate for a pacemaker if you have symptoms from a slow or irregular heartbeat. Some people also feel skipped beats or episodes where their heart seems to race and then slow down.

Don’t ignore these symptoms, because a slow heartbeat can prevent enough oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain and the rest of the body. Signs of potential heartbeat irregularities include:

• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Unusual fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Chest discomfort

Reduced ability to exercise can also be associated with a heartbeat that’s too fast or too slow.

Conditions that a pacemaker can treat

Before recommending a pacemaker, we determine whether the rhythm problem is persistent and connected to your symptoms. We may order cardiac testing, such as a Holter monitor, EKG, event monitor, exercise testing, or other diagnostics that monitor rhythm.

Our cardiologists also review any medications you take and existing health issues, such as thyroid disorder, sleep apnea, or other conditions that may cause or worsen a slow heartbeat. 

In some cases, adjusting a medication or treating an underlying issue solves the problem without a pacemaker. Our team may recommend a pacemaker to treat conditions such as:

Bradycardia

A common reason for a pacemaker is bradycardia, a condition where your heart rate is slower than expected.

A slow pulse alone doesn’t automatically mean you need a pacemaker. Our physicians look at the full picture: your symptoms, heart rhythm, medications, medical history, and test results before suggesting a pacemaker.

Sick sinus syndrome

Another condition that a pacemaker can treat is sick sinus syndrome. The sinus node is your heart’s natural pacemaker. When it doesn’t work properly, your heart may beat too slowly, pause, or alternate between rhythms that are too slow and too fast.

Many people with this condition have few symptoms at first, but those with troublesome symptoms may eventually need an implanted pacemaker to keep the heart rhythm steady.

Heart block

We may recommend a pacemaker for heart block, when electrical signals don’t travel through the heart properly. Depending on the type and severity, you might have no symptoms, or you might experience dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or cardiac arrest.

Some mild forms may not require treatment; more serious forms, especially third-degree heart block, often require a pacemaker.

Get the expert answers you need about your heart health 

The best way to know whether you’re a candidate for a pacemaker is to schedule a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation with our skilled cardiologists.

A pacemaker can be life-changing, but the decision isn’t based solely on your heart rate. Instead, our specialists work to identify whether your heart’s electrical system is causing symptoms or creating a risk that a pacemaker can safely correct.

Request a diagnostic evaluation for irregular heartbeat symptoms online or call the Chinatown Cardiology office nearest you today.