Pacemaker battery: This is how the change works
On average, a pacemaker's battery lasts five to ten years, depending on the model. Then the battery needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, changing the battery in a pacemaker is not quite as straightforward as in other devices.
Pacemaker: When does the battery need to be changed?
A pacemaker only works with a battery, so the state of charge must be carefully monitored. However, only the cardiologist can perform the appropriate examination.
- The charge status of the battery is checked at every inspection. A weakness in the battery is thus noticed in good time and the corresponding measures are taken promptly. Therefore, you should not miss a check-up because of the pacemaker's battery alone.
- How long a pacemaker battery lasts depends largely on the patient's activities. As a rule, modern pacemakers are able to control the necessary pulse output independently.
- The pacemakers adapt to your physical activities. If you are a little more active in sports, the pulse output increases accordingly and the battery is used more. Accordingly, the battery must be replaced earlier or more often.
This is how the battery replacement works
If the pacemaker needs to be readjusted due to changes in cardiac dysfunction, the cardiologist can easily program this from the outside.
- If the pacemaker's batteries are no longer functional, a minor surgical intervention is required.
- This routine intervention usually poses no risks for the patient. Local anesthesia is usually sufficient. The procedure lasts no more than half an hour.
- The pacemaker batteries are permanently integrated in the device. For this reason, the batteries are not replaced during the operation. Instead of replacing the battery, the entire pacemaker is replaced by a new device.
- The electrodes are also checked as standard during the intervention. However, the electrodes are only exchanged in exceptional cases. The new pacemaker is connected to the electrodes already installed in the body.
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Read all about how the heart works in the next article.