What is cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and who needs it?
CRT is for certain heart failure patients whose heart chambers beat out of sync due to an electrical delay. It helps coordinate the contractions so the heart pumps more effectively.
Can I use a mobile phone or fly with a pacemaker?
Yes. Simple precautions — like keeping your phone at a distance from the device and letting airport security know you have one — are usually all that's needed.
Is getting a pacemaker major surgery, and how long does the battery last?
No — it's a minor, local-anaesthesia procedure with sedation, generally done in about an hour through a small incision near the collarbone. The battery typically lasts 8 to 15 years, and regular device checks keep track of its status.
When is a pacemaker recommended?
A pacemaker helps when the heart beats too slowly, irregularly, or has an electrical conduction issue that keeps it from pumping efficiently.
Are cardiac procedures painful in general?
Most are done using local anaesthesia, sedation, or general anaesthesia depending on what's involved, and the goal throughout is to keep you comfortable. Any soreness afterward is managed with medication.
Can an artery narrow again after angioplasty?
It's uncommon with today's drug-eluting stents, but it can happen. Sticking to your medications, attending follow-ups, and making lifestyle changes all lower the odds significantly.
Will I need blood thinners after getting a stent?
Most patients go on dual antiplatelet therapy — typically aspirin plus a second blood-thinning medication — for around 6 to 12 months, though your cardiologist will tailor the duration to your case, to keep clots from forming inside the stent.
What's the difference between angioplasty and stent placement?
Angioplasty uses a balloon catheter to widen a narrowed artery. A stent — a small mesh tube — is usually placed right after to hold the artery open and stop it from narrowing again.
How is angiography different from angioplasty?
Angiography is diagnostic — it locates blockages. Angioplasty is the treatment that follows, physically reopening the blocked artery, often with a stent placed to keep it open.
What are the risks of angiography?
It's considered a very safe procedure. Occasionally there can be bruising or bleeding at the insertion site, a reaction to the contrast dye, or, rarely, injury to the artery.
