seven year battery

I had my PM implanted in 2005 and it is still running perfect, I feel well and hardly notice it. I am 83 year old male.
Are 7 years normal for battery life or can I expect a replacement on my forthcoming checkup.
With my ager I am a bit worriedover the process.
Thanks anyone
Dave

4 Comments

Getting A New Battery

by SMITTY - 2012-03-27 01:03:41


Hey Dave,

Welcome to the PM Club.

They tell us the life of the PM battery is expected to be 5 to 7 years, but mine lasted 9 years. Then I have seen some people post messages here that their PM was 15+ years old and they had the original battery and some get replacements after 3 years. The best I can determine is the life a PM battery is dependent on a lot of things, most of which we have no control over. But I think one of the most important ones is the frequency which it helps your heart. At your upcoming checkup they will get a report on the expected remaining battery life and the percentage of time the PM helps your heart. I suggest that you ask for those numbers.

As for being worried about getting a PM replacement, I say don't do that. When I got my replacement in '09 I was 80 years old. Yep, I'll be 83 in May. The replacement was easier than the original implant. I attributed that to the fact they did not have to replace the leads. So, based on my experience I say don't worry about the replacement surgery or the battery playing out. Before the battery reaches the end I(they tell me it is about 3 months) the PM will shift into a battery conversation mode.

You should know when that happenes as the PM will cease being an on demand PM and start pacing your heart full time. When that happened to me it was uncomfortable at times because my heart's natural PM was still sending some impulses to make my heart beat. But with the PM working full time my heart was at times getting conflicting impulses to make it beat which are noticeable. Should you ever feel this, don't panic, just call the Dr and tell them what is going on, or go to an ER.

Good luck to you,

Smitty

replacement

by Binky - 2012-03-27 05:03:13

I have a older friend who got her PM at 80 and had her 1st battery replaced at 90 with no problems Now 94 and goes like the wind. Nothing stops her or slows her down. But like Smitty says it depends on alot of things going on with your life.
Good luck.
Binky

PM changed twice already

by Rodlyn - 2012-03-28 01:03:09

Im on my third Pacer. No problem with the replacement surgery. I did need some adjustments afterwards for comfort. I can't stand to feel it beat the heart. I was aware that the battery was running down as the Tech keep a close eye on it monthly when I got close to end of battery life. However, both times I went into default mode prior to the replacement and I met my Cardiologist at the ER as was admitted. I could not function very well with the default mode. Good luck

With your what?

by ElectricFrank - 2012-03-28 02:03:00

I'm 82 and had my first replacement in 2010. No problem at all. Keep in mind that they don't normally need to replace the leads so it is just a matter of opening the pocket, remove the pacer, transfer the leads to the new one, and sew it back up. I skipped a beat or two as the cardiologist moved the ventricle lead, but at my age I have plenty of beats to spare. LOL

I had mine done with only a pain shot in the area and stayed wide awake during the whole thing.

As for the battery life it depends on what settings and features they have programmed in the pacer. Also, what percent of the time you are pacing. Ask for a copy of the report next time you have a checkup. It will show the estimated remaining life. Just remember it is an estimate. Mine lasted about 6 yrs.

frank

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.