Pacemaker Failure

Pacemakers are reliable life-saving devices. But problems can occur, even though they are rare. It's important to understand why you have a pacemaker. This can also help you understand why it might "fail" and what might happen if it does fail. Some reasons you may have a pacemaker are to:

• Help increase your heart rate if it's too slow

• Take care of problems with the electrical system in your heart that cause heart block

• Improve heart failure when you have heart muscle damage and problems with the electrical system of your heart

• Slow a fast, irregular heart rate that needed medicine for treatment

Each of the above problems typically causes you to feel symptoms. So if your pacemaker fails to work correctly, you may have symptoms caused by these problems. Or you may have symptoms from the pacemaker not working correctly. Symptoms of pacemaker failure or malfunction include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Feeling like your heart is fluttering (palpitations)

• Hard time breathing

• Slow or fast heart rate, or a combination of both

• Constant twitching of muscles in the chest or abdomen

• Frequent hiccups

If you have any of the symptoms above, call 911 or seek medical care right away. Your pacemaker may not be working correctly.

A complete failure of a modern pacemaker is very rare. Most of the time, problems occur when the pacemaker is working correctly but needs to be reprogrammed. Other times, there might be a true problem with the battery, a lead, or an electrode. These problems can sometimes be fixed with reprogramming of the pacemaker. Other times, they may require a procedure to fix the problem. This is often called a lead revision.

Causes for a pacemaker failure include:

• Worn-out battery

• Loose or broken wire between the pacemaker and the heart

• Electronic circuit failure from a break in wire insulation or a fracture in the wire

• Electrolyte problem, such as high potassium in the blood

• Electromagnetic interference from certain devices. These include power generators, arc welders, and powerful magnets found in medical devices, heavy equipment, and motors.

• A pacemaker lead getting pulled out of position

• A change in your condition that needs pacemaker reprogramming

Common household devices such as microwave ovens, TV remotes, heating pads, and electric blankets don't interfere with pacemakers. Most modern-day pacemakers are not affected by MRIs. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you can safely have an MRI with your device or if you need to take any special precautions first.

Be careful when using cell phones and other electronic devices. Keep them at least 6 inches away from your pacemaker. It's safest to hold all cell phones to the ear farther from your pacemaker or use the speaker mode setting. Don’t carry your phone or electronic device in your chest pocket, over the pacemaker. Experts advise carrying your cell phone and other electronics in a pocket or bag below your waist. Most cell phones and electronic devices don't interfere with pacemakers. But some cell phones and electronic devices such as smart watches use powerful magnets for wireless charging. These may interfere with the normal function of your pacemaker. The magnet used for charging or other magnet accessories can also interfere with the normal function of your pacemaker. These devices should be kept away from your pacemaker when wirelessly charging or stored. Follow any other instructions given to you by your healthcare provider or from the maker of your pacemaker.