Interrogation
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| Medtronic pacemaker interrogator May 2018 |
Since 2013, my heart has been paced by a dual chamber Medtronic pacemaker: it is not MRI compatible. Technology has changed a lot since 2013 and pacers are getting smaller and smarter. Now, some pacemakers can be interrogated wirelessly via an app or a device similar to a smart phone. I asked my cardiologist about the small devices, and he said they are currently only for single-chamber pacing and are leadless (no wires threaded through a vein and into the heart chambers).
My pacemaker has approximately 8 years of battery life remaining. Since the pacemaker is a sealed unit, when my cardiologist feels it is close to losing power, the entire pacemaker will be replaced and attached to the leads (wires) that are embedded in my heart's chambers.
Pacemakers are such a lifesaver. My mother and my father-in-law both have them. My FIL is 90 and has had a pacemaker for as long as I've known him, which is 15 years!
ReplyDeleteMaybe by then you really can get Pandora!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteGlad your pacemaker is still strong and "heart"y
I don't know much about pacemakers so this was very interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteWow. That is amazing.
ReplyDeleteMedical science baffles and amazes me. And we take our good health for granted so often. After going through a lot of heart testing procedures this winter I have a much deeper appreciation for how intricate those heart functions really are.
ReplyDeleteNancy, we have very similar pacemakers. Mine is also a Medtronic dual chamber pacemaker, but mine is MRI compatible. I have a proximately nine years left on my battery. Maybe we could be roommates when we need battery replacement and we can talk crafting and all of those fun things! Ha ha! It was a rough first year after I receive my pm, but the last two years have been great. I received mine in July 2015.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings, Betsy
Wowza....that is some serious hardware you have there!
ReplyDeleteBlogger is no longer emailing the comments to me, so I'll try to get responses sent.
ReplyDeleteLove the Pandora cartoon. You never know what you don't know about people. Revealing your pacemaker was a surprise to me. As long as it keeps that heart of yours ticking along nicely I am pleased for you.
ReplyDeleteWell, sounds like you are lucky to have it....so amazing....and more amazing technology will be created in the next 8 years.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! My mom has a pacemaker and was 'updated' to wireless on her last replacement. (She is 82 and has seen several improvements in technology since she first had this 20 years ago!)
ReplyDeleteEight years is a long time...you can probably phone your heart for a report:) I am so glad you are doing okay with yours:)
ReplyDeleteHurrah for electronics! And a very Happy Memorial Day to you!
ReplyDeleteTechnology is amazing and it continues to astound me. I'm glad that you had a good report from your cardiologist. Who knows what advances will be made by the time you're ready for an updated pace-maker. If they can navigate the intricacies of the heart, you would think they could fix the email mishaps with Blogger. www.desertrancher@gmail.com
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