A healthy and normal heart has its own pacemakers which regulate the heart beats. But sometimes heart does not beat regularly and this problem can be sorted out with the help of pacemakers. A pacemaker allows the people with abnormal heart rate to live a normal life. Pacemakers are good for the people who have an irregular, slow, or fast heart rate.

What is a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a small battery powered device which is placed inside the chest or abdomen. It has two parts

• Pulse generator
• A tiny computer

Leads or electrodes are attached to the heart muscles through veins. Leads send the impulses to pulse generators. Whenever it picks up the abnormal heart activity, it starts to give perfectly timed shocks and bring the heart into normal rhythm. The pacemaker can have one to three leads depending upon the type of pacemaker.

Types of Pacemakers

The type of pacemaker you may need depends on your heart condition and symptoms.

Single-Chamber Pacemakers: It has one lead which connects the pulse generator to one chamber of your heart.

Dual Chamber Pacemaker: It comes with two leads which connect both the right side chambers of your heart. It helps both the chambers to work together.

Biventricular Pacemaker: It has three leads and used to treat advanced heart failure.

The pacemaker is also used to treat different kinds of heart diseases such as

• Bradyarrthmias: Slow heart rhythms
• Heart failure
• Syncope
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Signs you might need a pacemaker

It is difficult to identify the symptoms and many people who even have cardiovascular issues also fail to recognize the symptoms at first. Some of the symptoms are listed below

• Fatigue
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Inability to do exercise

These are all the potential reasons which indicate you might need a pacemaker. Though many people are not able to identify the symptoms, but after pacemaker implantation, they feel more energetic and fresh.

Ways of pacemaker implantation

Endocardial Approach

It is the most common technique used for pacemaker implantation. During this procedure, a local anesthesia is given to the patient to numb the area. With an incision in the chest, the pacemaker and leads are inserted. The leads are inserted in veins with the help of x-ray machine.

Epicardial Approach

This technique of transplant is commonly used in children. General anesthesia is given to put the patient to sleep. In this technique, the pacemaker is inserted under the skin in the abdomen.

The surgeon determines which approach is best suitable for you according to your conditions. Usually, both the procedure last for 1 to 3 hours and an overnight hospital is advised. After the implantation, you have to wear an arm sling for 24 hours.

The cost of pacemakers in India

Cost of cardiac surgeries in India is much lower than other countries. If you are from any part of the world and looking for a pacemaker transplant then India can be a better choice where you can get the surgery done at reasonable price. Hospitals in India are also well equipped and also have advanced equipment and technology which ensure the accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care during and after the surgery.

Other than facilities, equipment, and technology India is also known for the experienced and qualified cardiac surgeons. That is why India is well positioned to accommodate the cardiac needs of the patients from all over the world.

If we talk about the cost of pacemaker transplant in India, it is around $2100 excluding the pacemakers. The same surgery can cost you ten times more in the USA and double in Thailand. Pacemaker cost in India ranges between $2000 and $3500. The cost of pacemaker depends on the quality and type of pacemakers. So the total cost of pacemaker transplant in India is between $4000 and $5600. The total cost of pacemaker transplant depends on various factors such as

• The technology used for transplant
• Type of sedation or anesthesia
• Incision location (chest or abdomen)
• The health condition of the patient

Because of the highly affordable cost patients from all over the world comes to India to avail the facility. The availability of best cardiac surgeon in world class and modern hospitals with cutting edge technology is an additional advantage for pacemaker implantation.

Conclusion

A pacemaker can improve your quality of life to a greater extent by regulating your irregular heartbeats. They are designed to regulate your heart beats not to remove the plaque from your arteries. If you feel any symptoms you can consult with a cardiologist and if suggested you can go for a pacemaker transplant. Do not worry, pacemaker transplant can be done with a minor surgery and you will recover very soon.