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Heart Health

Pacemaker concerns

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I'm getting a pacemaker to treat a slow heart rate and am wondering how it might affect my daily life. For instance, can I still exercise? Is it safe to go through airport security scanners and to have medical imaging tests?

Pacemakers have two basic working parts: the generator, which is implanted under the skin between the shoulder and chest, and one or more wires that stretch from the generator to the heart. These wires, called leads (pronounced leeds), are built to flex and move freely when the arm or shoulder nearest the pacemaker moves.

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