This guide will help you learn about your care before and after one of 2 types of cardiovascular device implant procedures, a pacemaker or an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator). Topics include what will happen on the day of the procedure, what to bring to the hospital, instructions for the night before and day of your procedure, skin prep, planning for your discharge, care of your device insertion site, and signs of infection.
A pacemaker is used to prevent your heart from beating too slowly. It can also be used to make your heart beat faster to suit your activity. You will need to have surgery to have the device placed in your body. This pamphlet explains how your heart beats, what happens if you have problems with your heartbeat, what a pacemaker is, how the procedure is done, what will happen after your procedure, and your care at home. A list of symptoms that require you to call 911 is included. The French versi…
On utilise le stimulateur cardiaque (pacemaker) pour éviter que le cœur batte trop lentement. Il peut aussi être utilisé pour augmenter votre fréquence cardiaque selon l’activité que vous faites. La pile du stimulateur cardiaque dure habituellement entre 7 et 10 ans. Vous aurez besoin d’un nouvel appareil quand la pile deviendra faible. Vous trouverez ci-dessous les précautions à prendre à la maison, de même que les choses à faire en cas de complications. ; This is a French translation of the E…