pacer lab

I have had my Boston Sci. pacemaker since Jan 2015 and have always been called in for Pacer lab once a year along with appt. with Dr. Seems I have been forgotten this year as I was last year. I have had no problems with pacemaker. I am 76 yo. How often should I have a pacer lab appointment? 

Used to be on monitor and received bill every three months then the bill stopped so I unplugged it.


3 Comments

Contact your pacing clinic

by Gemita - 2020-07-10 09:18:36

Hello C130,

It is important that our pacemakers are checked periodically to make sure that the battery and leads remain sound and to see whether our hearts are behaving themselves.  You may be 76 and doing well without any lab support and that is indeed a great sign, but I would still contact your pacing clinic to explain that you have not had a check for a couple of years and could you please make an appointment.  Explain too that you unplugged your monitor on whatever date?   It could be that you have been erased from the system, in which case, you need to make contact in any event.

My pacemaker clinic wants me to attend at least once a year and more often if I have any worries, but once a year is I believe the norm.  With Coronavirus, many clinics are trying to extend this period for some of us (at least here in the UK) but you are already overdue for a check up, so I would make enquiries.

 

yearly

by Tracey_E - 2020-07-10 12:42:45

I don't get bills for my monitor, just an email from the ep's office when they get a download. I am seen in the office once a year. Plug your box back in and call for an appointment. 

How often?

by AgentX86 - 2020-07-10 23:32:23

There isn't one answer.  I see my EP once a year and my cardiologist twice to four times a year (depends on how things are going).  I'm supposed to do the remote transmission twice a year and go into the clinic twice a year. Some are constantly monitored.

Unplugging the machine probably isn't a good idea and you should have an appointment with your EP and device clinic at least once a year. If you don't make an appointment they'll probably assume you found another EP or moved out of the area.  You have to take care of yourself.  No one is going to babysit you..

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At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!