Pacemaker- Which side?

Right or left

by AgentX86 - 2022-07-19 22:26:05

Almost everyone has their pacemaker on the left side. Sometimes it'll be put on the non-dominant side (right side for lefties) but it's not all that common.  They may also put it on the right side if the veins on the left side are compromised, there is an infection on the left, or some other reason it can't be put on the left. It's more difficult on the right and there is little reason to do it in most cases.

Pm on left

by skigrl3 - 2022-07-19 22:45:16

My pm is left,  but my cardiologist said if l really had issue with it going below my left clavicle, that he would accomodate but that the procedure is easier on left. Also everything Agent 86 stated as well.  It all worked out fine for me, left is best! Good luck.

Lefty too

by Lavender - 2022-07-19 22:59:46

My EP asked if I was right or left handed. I'm a righty so he put it on the left. The EP didn't guarantee it would be placed on left though and said if he couldn't for some reason, I might wake up with a rightside one. My neighbor, an avid hunter, asked for his to be placed on the opposite side so he could shoot his rifle. I'm glad it's on the left because it took me a good while for my arm to settle down. 

On the Right

by Julros - 2022-07-19 23:03:32

I am left-handed and mine is on the right. My former EP routinely placed it on the right for lefties, but my current EP seemed surprised by this. It functions, so thats what counts for me. 

which side

by Tracey_E - 2022-07-20 09:55:19

They try to do it on the left because it's the shortest path to the heart when running the leads. 

Unless you shoot or play violin, once we heal it doesn't usually much matter which side it's on. I know of one person whose veins on the left wouldn't work so hers is on the right. It's also possible to end up moving it to the right after many years on the left. Left is by far more common. 

Mine is now on the right

by Camelgirl - 2022-07-20 10:30:30

My pacemaker is now on the right side, I know my EP prefers to place on the left but due to a pacemaker infection and extraction on the left there was no other option.