Pacemaker Clinic

The Legacy Heart Center Pacemaker Clinic evaluates and manages the care of patients prior to and following the implantation of cardiac pacemakers and automatic internal cardioverter defibrillator systems.

The frequency of a patient’s evaluation is determined by the patient’s needs, the age and type of pacing device, and the cardiologist’s recommendations. A typical schedule will include both clinical visits and telephone monitoring. Telephone monitoring utilizes specifically designed transmitter units which allow the staff to analyze how well the pacemaker is working while the patient is at home.

If problems are identified, then the patient will be asked to come to the clinic for a more extensive on-site evaluation, which could include a non-invasive modification of their pacemaker functions. At times, patients who are having trouble carrying out normal activities discover that their lack of stamina is caused by a faulty pacing device and not advancing age.

During a visit to the Pacemaker Clinic patients are seen by nursing professionals who check and record pulse and blood pressure, review current medications, inquire about symptoms such as sudden dizzy spells, lightheadedness, and fatigue and check the device insertion site.

Patients will receive an electrocardiogram and, using an electronic device, the nurses will interrogate or "read" information from the device to check for function and battery life and make any adjustments needed.

Patients and their families are also educated in the Clinic by the nurses on all aspects of pacing including: types and functions of pacemakers, short-term disability and lifestyle adjustments that might be required, follow-up procedures and requirements and instructions for contacting nursing and physician staff on a 24-hour basis if any concerns about pacemaker functions arise.

By identifying problems in advance, the medical staff at the Legacy Pacemaker Clinic is able to maximize pacemaker functioning. For example, patients who receive timely evaluations may find that they can prolong pacemaker life, anticipate and plan for their replacements when appropriate, and even identify changes in heart rhythms which necessitate pacemaker reprogramming.

The Legacy Heart Center Pacemaker Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Clinic visits are by appointment only.

If you are a physician and are interested in obtaining additional information on the Pacemaker Clinic, or if you have a patient who you would like to refer to the clinic, please contact us at (469) 326-4600. Your patient may use the services of our Pacemaker Clinic and continue to be managed by you.