If you need to have a pacemaker fitted, a small electrical device called a pacemaker will be surgically implanted in your chest. The pacemaker sends electrical pulses to your heart to keep it beating regularly and not too slow. Having a pacemaker can significantly improve your quality of life if you have problems with a slow heart rate. The device can be lifesaving for some people.

Pacemaker implantation is one of the most common types of heart surgery carried out, with many thousands of pacemakers fitted each year. The procedure to implant a pacemaker does not require open heart surgery, and most people go home within 24 hours. Before the surgery, medication may be given to make you sleepy and comfortable. Generally, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia.