Basics of Heart Implant Devices

Most of us have heard of implantable pacemakers and defibrillators, but what exactly do these heart devices do and how do they help patients?

Manoj Duggal, MD, a board-certified cardiologist specializing in cardiac electrophysiology practicing at Franciscan Health, shared more on the implant devices for cardiac patients. 

What Are The Most Common Heart Implants That People Get?

“When I look at the heart implants which people get implanted with, they fall into two groups. One is electronic devices, and the other are mechanical devices,” said Dr. Duggal, who practices at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology in Crown Point.

Electronic devices

Electronic devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators can help diagnose or treat a heart rhythm problem.

“There's a group of devices which helps make a diagnosis, but they don't treat,” Dr. Duggal said. "Those are tiny chips which are inserted into our skin, which continuously monitor our heartbeat so that we can make a diagnosis what the rhythm problem a person is having."

Mechanical devices

Mechanical devices are implanted with devices like LVAD, which helps the heart pump blood in patients with heart failure.

Why Might I Need A Heart Implant?

Some of the heart conditions that may lead patients to need heart implant devices to live healthier, longer lives are:

Very slow heart rates

Pacemakers can help people with very slow heart rates increase and maintain a certain heart rate so that people don't get tired and fatigued.

Weak heart muscle

“We have all seen devices like AEDs, where if somebody passes out, we put an AED. It basically recognizes the rhythm and shocks the heart. These implanted devices are very similar,” said Dr. Duggal. “They have an electrode in the heart, which is connected to a generator and a computer, if you will. And that device will recognize, ‘Hey, this person is in a bad rhythm,’ and then it will treat the rhythm by either pacing the heart very rapidly or shocking the heart and bringing them back to life.”

What Should I Know About Managing My Heart Implant Device?

“I think the key in management of these devices should start before the device is implanted,” said Dr. Duggal.

It’s important to know what to expect after your heart device is implanted, what kind of surgery it involves, anesthesia and what to expect from the level of pain.

"There are certain work-related machines or tools which don't go well with devices,” he said. “Most commonly are somebody who does welding. Welding doesn't go well with these electronic devices, so does anything which produces very large electromagnetic fields.”

Learn how to use related apps

Certain companies and pacemakers have companion apps for your phone, so you can look at information.

“The whole goal of this device is so we can get you back to where you were and continue functioning as you did before your device was implanted, or maybe better,” said Dr. Duggal.

Any concerns about your heart implant

You may meet with your doctor regularly about your heart implant device, but contact them any time you have questions about your health.

“My goal is to make them feel as good as they can be. Of course, what you're born with is different, but now you have an implanted device so that your functionality is as good as good can be,” Dr. Duggal. “In other words, accepting that device as part of you and being as healthy as you can be. And I think the goal is to make them feel good and back to their lives.”