pace maker left hand side?

left handed people are in their right minds!

by FitMomma - 2017-04-13 19:03:11

Hi-

I am 3 weeks post-implant and left handed. I had my pm installed on the left side. I do many things the way a right handed person would except for writing and a few other things. It hasn't been a problem for me. I am glad you found this site before your surgery. I found it last week. It has been a great suport to me to find out that what I am feeling is pretty normal/typical.

Best of luck to you!

Cathy

pace maker left hand side?

by Scotti - 2017-04-13 20:06:04

Thanks Cathy....I am really bummed about not being able to return to normal activities for 5 weeks.. I am a horse owner and only being able to lift 5 lbs. for 5 weeks is a big deal for me. Hope it doesn't really take that long to recover.

Mine is on the right

by Narelle - 2017-04-14 01:16:03

Hi Scott,   Im right handed and just had my 5th pacemaker implanted in the same place on the right hand side...  Everyone who sees it and knows about pacemakers says thats weird you have it on the wrong side.  One of the assistant surgeons asked me who did the first one there and I told her and she said oh yes he always liked to put them on the right... 

It doesnt cause an issue, only for the first month or two after implant.. I try not to lift too much in that hand and for me living in Australia the seat belt rubs on it...  Ask the surgeon before he puts you out...  

Good luck you wont know yourself after a couple of weeks. 

Cheers Narelle 

which side

by Tracey_E - 2017-04-14 10:25:57

The left side is the shortest path to get the leads to the heart, that's why they usually put it on the left. They can easily get there from the right side or even the abdomen, but most surgeons do it on the left. Once you heal, it doesn't really matter which side it's on unless you shoot. 

Ask your doctor about lifting after. All doctors are different. I was told no more than 20 pounds for 4 weeks. Some are told less weight (5 or 10 lbs) for up to 6 weeks. They want the leads to settle in, but after the first two days nothing we do is going to dislodge a lead so it's just precaution. 

I'm a lefty as well

by Jax - 2017-04-14 11:47:02

i was ready to have pm installed on right side but in the procedure room I was told that left side would be better.   So my pm is on the left.  During recovery period it was a little uncomfortable because I kept doing things with my left hand.  After recovery no poroblem at all. 

Lefty too

by LondonAndy - 2017-04-15 03:11:06

And my pacemaker is on left, since as others say they prefer that side.  No problems. 

Left or Right

by Selwyn - 2017-04-20 03:01:13

I am left handed and was about to have my pacemaker inserted on the right. Whilst in theatre I changed my mind, they had to move all the equipment around, and it is in the left. The reason: in England I drive and the seat belt goes from upper right to lower left and misses my PM. Bit more difficult if I am the passanger. Being thin, I do find the seat belt can rub the PM site as a passanger.

I see you are from the USA- the same reasoning applies just on the wrong side of the road!

Selwyn

Left or right?

by sfp1 - 2017-04-29 00:41:33

I was told that having the pm on the left is more common, as mentioned by Tracey E above, because it provides easier and quicker access to the heart.

I see you are now post operation. I hope your recovery is going well.

I write with my left hand and do everything else with my right hand. My doctor asked that I not lift anything heavier than a jug of milk for the first six weeks after having the pm put in. It was very difficult to wait, as I garden and like to be active, but I listened and followed the recommendation as I did not want to do anything wrong to the leads going into my heart.

Wishing you all the best.

Susan