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PACEMAKERS
Most pacemakers are used to keep the heart from going too slow. Most often, this happens because no cell in the heart beats fast enough to maintain proper function, or because there is an electrical "block" somewhere that doesn't allow the electrical activity to spread to all of the necessary portions of the heart.
What to expect
Generally, the insertion of a pacemaker is considered minor surgery and takes about an hour to complete. In most cases a local anesthetic is used to numb the area over where the pulse generator will be placed. There are certain parts of the procedure that can be uncomfortable, but they’re not usually severe. The surgical site will be painful for a week or two, and analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can be used for the pain. There will be a scar about 2-4 inches long.
