Yesterday (Monday), the 76-year-old actor Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed in his podcast that he recently underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker. “I have news to share. Last week I underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker that made me a bit more of a machine. Later, take it easy because it feels great. “I had the surgery on Monday and on Friday I was already at a big event for the environment with my good friend Jane Fonda. No one could have suspected that I started this week in an operating room.” Prime Minister Netanyahu also underwent the same medical procedure in July 2023.In fact, this is a common procedure, which allows many to continue enjoying their lives, despite a malfunctioning heart. Prof. Ido Birti, Director of the Kitner Davidei Cardiovascular System at North Medical Center (Foria), explains that a pacemaker is a small device that is implanted during surgery, and it is designed to transmit an electric current to the heart muscle so that it maintains a normal rhythm, in cases where the heart’s natural pacemaker is not works properly, or in cases where there is a disturbance in the conduction of the electrical signal in the heart (atrial and ventricular conduction block). “The pacemaker is connected by electrodes to the chambers of the heart – the atria and the right ventricle, and only comes into action in cases where the electrical signal does not pass to the right ventricle,” he explains.
In addition to its role in the electrical system of the heart, Prof. Birti explains that a pacemaker may improve the synchronization of the mechanical action of the heart, and it is also intended for the treatment of heart failure among some patients who experience a decrease in left ventricular function, or when specific characteristics are present in the ECG chart.
“Considered a safe operation”
Regarding complications, he explains that “pacemaker implantation is usually carried out during surgery under local anesthesia, and is considered a safe operation with a very low complication rate – mainly bleeding in the surgical area and infection. After the pacemaker implantation, most patients will be hospitalized, but the next day they will be released and will be able to lead a normal lifestyle. Shortly after After implanting the pacemaker, physical activity can be resumed, with the exception of lifting weights, which may cause damage to the pacemaker electrodes.”
By the way, according to him, today there are tiny pacemakers that are implanted with a catheter, without the need for surgery, intended mainly for patients at risk of infections, such as: patients undergoing dialysis, patients with immunodeficiency, etc.
