Can you die with a pacemaker?

Question

My grandfather recently got a pacemaker and my grandmother was making fun of it, saying how he would never die because the pacemaker would kick in as soon as his heart stopped. I realize that this sounds kind of stupid but could you die with a pacemaker? Is there a point where the pacemaker would stop working?

Answer 1

pacemakers fire to "jump start" the heart, but yes you can die if you have a pacemaker, the pacemaker can still fire for a long period of time after death but the heart doesnt respond to the signal.  after death and  the batteries die the pacer will stop. also a magnet placed over the pacer will de activate it.

Answer 2

1. The pacemaker could (and will one day) fail.

2. Something (i.e. microwave) could interrupt with it.

3. One day the heart will cease to function. (pacemaker or no)

     It's called death. A pacemaker will not keep a heart going  

     forever.

                            Steve

Answer 3

Yes, any machine can break. And he could get run over by a bus!

Answer 4

The pacemaker has to fire, and the electric impule has to "capture." A heart can simply wear out and not beat in response to the electrical impulse.

Answer 5

Yes, you can die while wearing a pacemaker.  Once the heartrate is below a certain level, the pacemaker shuts off since it's not possible to live with a beat that low.

BTW, you should tell your grandparents that they should consider what to do with the pacemaker after he does die.  Pacemakers can't be reused in this country, but are often recycled in countries where it is exorbitantly expensive. Also, manufacturer's kindof like to get them back to examine them to see if anything malfunctioned. That is how they discover flaws or parts wearing faster than expected.

Answer 6

You must be a sweet grand daughter and most likely the favourite one of your grand parents.

It's absolutely okay to be concerned and ask questions for which You have no answers. I will also add that most of the responses You have got are not the appropriate or right answers.

On average, each year in USA alone, over 1 million patients receive these pacemaker implants and only 2 cases out of 1000 are reported as malfunctions of the pacemakers.

You also don't need to worry about the batteries. A modern pacemaker battery can usually last 7-10 years. When the battery is running low, the pacemaker will send a signal that can be detected by the doctor during a routine office or pacemaker clinic visit. A low battery still has time to be replaced electively.  So, You don't need to be worried that the battery will die unexpectedly and your grandfather might get harmed.

By the way make sure your grandfather goes to get all of his medical check-ups done routinely, He has been to a nutritionist to know what is the right diet for him, He is going for his cardio exercises, also make sure that He doesn't get too excited ( too happy or too sad ). If You do all this, You will double his life expectancy.

Wish You All The Best And Great Health To Your Grandparents & Family !