A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device that’s placed under the skin on your chest. It uses electrical pulses to help control your heart rate. A pacemaker can be used to treat heart rhythms that are too slow, fast, or irregular.
Pacemakers have been used since the 1950s. They’ve helped millions of people with heart problems live longer, healthier lives.
Pacemakers are usually implanted during a surgery that takes about 1-2 hours. The surgeon makes a small cut in your skin and inserts the pacemaker under the muscles near your collarbone. Wires (leads) are then threaded through veins into your heart. Once everything is in place, the surgeon closes the incisions with stitches or staples.
After surgery, you’ll likely stay in the hospital for one or two days so doctors can monitor your heart and make sure the pacemaker is working properly.
Most people feel better soon after having a pacemaker implanted and can return to their normal activities within a week or two.