Why Regular Pacemaker & Defibrillator Checks Are Essential for Your Heart Health
If you’ve had a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator (ICD) implanted, you’ve taken a vital step toward protecting your heart. These life‑saving devices help maintain healthy heart rhythms and can prevent dangerous arrhythmias. However, having a device implanted is only the beginning of your ongoing heart health journey. Regular pacemaker and defibrillator checks are crucial to ensure your device continues working reliably and effectively.
What Pacemakers and Defibrillators Do
A pacemaker is a small, battery‑powered device placed under the skin of your chest to help control abnormal heart rhythms by sending gentle electrical signals to keep your heartbeat steady. An ICD does everything a pacemaker does but also monitors for life‑threatening arrhythmias, delivering a shock if needed to restore a safe heart rhythm.
While these devices are highly advanced and durable, they don’t operate on their own without oversight. To make sure they’re functioning properly — now and years from now — routine checks are essential.
Why Regular Device Checks Matter
Device checks are much more than just routine appointments. They help cardiologists evaluate your device’s performance, catch potential issues early, and fine‑tune settings to match your body’s changing needs. Here’s why they are so important:
1. Monitor Battery Life and Longevity
Pacemakers and ICDs run on batteries that gradually lose charge. Most device batteries last several years, but only a professional check can provide an accurate estimate of remaining battery life and help plan replacement before it becomes an emergency.
2. Check Lead Integrity
Leads — the thin wires that connect your device to your heart — are essential. Over time they can wear down or have changes in how they sense or pace your heart. Device checks evaluate lead function so your care team can intervene early if needed.
3. Review Heart Rhythm Data
Your device stores valuable information about your heart’s rhythm and activity. During a check, this data is retrieved and analyzed for signs of arrhythmias or other concerns that might require medical attention.
4. Adjust Device Settings
As your heart condition changes, your device’s settings may need tuning — such as pacing thresholds or detection criteria for arrhythmias. These adjustments ensure your device continues to work perfectly for you.
5. Improve Overall Safety
Regular checks offer peace of mind. They confirm your device’s performance and let you and your cardiologist stay ahead of issues that could affect your health or quality of life.
What Happens During a Check
During a pacemaker or ICD check, your cardiology team at Heart Experts of Florida will use a special programmer to "interrogate" the device. This involves placing a wireless wand over your chest area to read battery status, lead function, and any logged arrhythmia events. Your provider will also discuss any symptoms you’ve experienced, review your cardiac history, and make adjustments to the device settings if needed.
Check appointments typically take about 15–30 minutes and may occur more frequently early after implantation and less often as your condition stabilizes. Many modern devices also support remote monitoring, allowing data to be transmitted from your home to your care team.
How Often Should You Get Checked?
Guidelines generally recommend that pacemakers be evaluated every 6–12 months and ICDs every 3–6 months. Remote monitoring can help reduce in‑office visits when no issues are detected, but in‑person checks remain important for comprehensive assessment.
Stay Proactive About Your Heart Health
Regular pacemaker and defibrillator checks are not optional — they’re a critical part of long‑term cardiac care. With thorough evaluations and personalized follow‑up at Heart Experts of Florida, you can stay confident your device is performing optimally and your heart is protected.
