Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi went into hospital for a brief operation on Saturday, Ocotber 23 to have a heart pacemaker fitted, the office of the 83-year-old leader said. The device was fitted under local anaesthetic, Ciampi's office said, adding that the president would be back at work on Tuesday, and had not cancelled any engagements. Ciampi was appointed president in 1999. His seven-year mandate ends in 2006.

 

SIR Alex Ferguson had a pacemaker fitted on March 12, 2004 to cure his heart problem called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), which can cause palpitations and dizzinesshis. After the 90-minute procedure, the Manchester United manager said "I want to reassure the fans that everything is okay, I feel fine. It was an option for me to get this done, the club knew about it, I feel great, and it's business as usual."

 

Former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms continues to work on his memoirs even though he has suffered a series of health problems in recent months. Helms was fitted with a pacemaker in August 2003. The 30-year Senate veteran has had heart problems for more than a decade.

 

Canadian singer & songwriter, Jann Arden was born on March 27, 1962. She had a pacemaker for 17 years, but it was recently removed because she no longer was using it all that much, if ever. Besides, it kept setting off alarms everywhere she went. "One tends to really think about living and dying when you get a pacemaker implanted at 20 years old." Her pacemaker experience inspired her popular "Will You Remember Me" song.

 

Robert Guillaume was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 30, 1927. He is best known for playing Benson DuBois on 'Soap' and 'Benson'. He is an Emmy award-winning actor. He has suffered several strokes, but thanks to his pacemaker that does not let that slow him down.

 

Doctors successfully implanted a pacemaker in Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio on Friday, June 20.

"The senator's procedure was uneventful and totally satisfactorily performed," said Dr. Helen Barold, who performed the operation. "I anticipate his recovery will be uncomplicated and that he will return to his normal routine in a few days."

Voinovich, 66, decided to have the optional procedure done to maintain a normal heart rate.

The Republican said earlier that week that his heart rate had slowed down over the past several years due to a condition called progressive sinus bradycardia.

Voinovich spent one night at the hospital, then rested over the weekend at his Washington apar...

 

Roger Moore, the star of seven James Bond movies, had a pacemaker implanted on May 10, 2003. Moore played the part of Agent 007 in the movies from 1973 to 1985.

"He’s feeling absolutely fine," said a UNICEF spokesperson, which Moore serves as a goodwill ambassador. "He was in and out of the hospital in just 36 hours."

 

The former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt had a pacemaker implanted many years ago.

 

The German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher had a pacemaker implanted for many years.

 

Anja Andersen, a famous handball player in Denmark had a pacemaker implanted in 1999 after several fainting spells during playing. She is now a handball coach.

 

It’s quite ironic that Medtronic’s co-founder, Earl Bakken has a pacemaker. Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law Palmer Hermundslie started Medtronic in a garage in northeast Minneapolis, where they repaired electronic hospital equipment. Medtronic is now the world’s leading medical technology company and pacemaker manufacturer.

 

New York’s feisty former Mayor Ed Koch, 76, had a pacemaker implanted in 1991. The brash, often funny Koch has not stopped working since leaving City Hall in 1989. He writes newspaper columns, presides over a courtroom-based daytime television show, hosts a talk radio show, reviews movies and most recently writes political commentary.

 

Phyllis Diller is 83 years old but feels brand, spanking new thanks to her pacemaker. "I’m the bionic woman!" she brags. Phyllis Diller continues to make fans laugh with her live performances and humor.

 

Buddy Ebsen, the actor who starred as Jud Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies, has a pacemaker. He is 90 years old. Buddy Ebsen started in show business in 1928 on Broadway and several years later moved to Hollywood.

 

Thanks to his pacemaker, Jim Nabors is an energetic Bionic Man and says this about his pacemaker; "I have alot more energy now. I'm made up of parts and pieces, but I'm happy to be alive". His unique career has earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Hollywood's honorary mayor, 76-year-old Johnny Grant, doesn't miss a beat with his pacemaker.

For decades, Grant has served as master of ceremonies when new stars were placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Krusty, a character from the famous Simpsons television show, has a pacemaker. He isn't a good person, in fact, he pretty much hates everything. Krusty is a great example of what we should not be like!

 

Elton John had a pacemaker implanted in the summer of 1999. After the procedure he was quoted as saying, "The only long-term effect of the heart problem is that I have to carry a card explaining why I set off the alarms when I walk through airport security."

 

Bob Dole first got involved in politics in 1951. Over the years he has served in many roles.

Despite retiring from elective politics, he has far from retired from active politics. His pacemaker does not slow him down.

 

Netherlands Prince Claus, the husband of the Netherlands' Queen Beatrix, was fitted with a
pacemaker on August 9. Claus, age 75, was given the pacemaker after his doctors confirmed continuing irregularities in his heartbeat.