As with any medical or surgical procedure, pacemaker implantation has risks as well as benefits. The risks are described below.
Pacemaker infection
There is a small risk that the site of the pacemaker, implantable caridoverter defibrillator (ICD) or their leads can become infected.
It is estimated that around 1 in 100 people with a pacemaker will have a pacemaker infection. This usually happens within the first 12 months of having a pacemaker fitted.
Symptoms of a pacemaker infection include:
- a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
- pain, swelling and redness at the site of the pacemaker
If you're worried that you have developed an infection, call your GP or cardiologist as soon as possible for advice.
If this is not possible, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or your local out-of-hours service.
If an infection is not treated, it could spread into your lungs (pneumonia), the lining of your heart (endocarditis) or your blood (blood poisoning or sepsis).
A pacemaker infection is usually treated using a combination of antibiotics and surgery to remove and then replace the pacemaker.
Pacemaker malfunction
As with any electronic device, there is a small chance that your pacemaker could stop working properly. This is known as a pacemaker malfunction. It's estimated to affect around 1 in every 250 people with a pacemaker.
A pacemaker can go wrong if:
- the lead gets pulled out of position
- the battery of the pulse generator fails
- the circuits that control the pacemaker become damaged by exposure to strong magnetic fields
- the pacemaker has not been properly programmed
Signs that your pacemaker may have failed include:
- your heart begins beating more slowly or quickly
- dizziness
- hiccups
- fainting or nearly fainting
As with a pacemaker infection, seek immediate medical advice if you're concerned that your pacemaker has failed.
In some cases, it may be possible to correct a pacemaker remotely using wireless signals or magnets. Otherwise, the pacemaker will need to be removed and replaced.
