Permanent Pacemaker Implantation

Experience a consistent standard of
cardiovascular care.

Dr. Tan Jian Jing, in cooperation with a cardiac electrophysiologist, offers this advanced service at The Cardio Clinic. The implantation of a permanent pacemaker provides a long-term remedy to maintain an optimal heart rate, ensuring the heart beats at a consistent and healthy pace.

What a pacemaker does

A permanent pacemaker monitors the heart’s own rhythm and delivers a small electrical impulse only when the rate falls below a set threshold or when the conducting system fails to carry the signal. It does not take over the heartbeat entirely; it fills in when the heart’s own system does not fire.

Pacemakers are used for conditions where the heart beats too slowly or unreliably, including sick sinus syndrome and forms of heart block, particularly when these cause fatigue, breathlessness, dizziness or blackouts.

The implant procedure

The generator is placed under the skin below the collarbone, and one or more leads are passed through a vein into the heart chambers and connected to it. The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic with sedation rather than a general anaesthetic.

Afterwards, arm movement on that side is generally restricted for a period to let the leads settle. Wound care instructions are given before discharge.

Living with a pacemaker

The device is checked periodically, either in person or remotely, to confirm it is functioning correctly and to monitor battery life. Generators are eventually replaced when the battery nears the end of its life; the leads are usually left in place.

Most everyday electrical equipment does not interfere with modern pacemakers, but you should tell any healthcare professional that you have one before procedures, and mention it at airport security. Certain scans, including some MRI examinations, require specific checks first.

Contact the clinic if the wound becomes red, swollen or painful, or if you experience the symptoms that led to the pacemaker returning. Seek emergency care for blackouts or severe breathlessness; in Singapore, call 995.