Pacemaker monitors: can you turn them off to save energy?

Vicki Gurney, Cardiac Physiologist, says:

Many people with a pacemaker or ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) have a remote monitor. This is a device plugged in at home, usually next to your bed, that sends information from the device in your chest to your cardiac centre. Home monitoring allows your specialist to see how your device is behaving, check the battery status and monitor any changes in your heart rhythm. This helps to keep you safe and allows your specialist to act early to address any issues that might need medical attention, or a review of your medication.

The majority of home monitors are of the bedside transmitter type, and need to be plugged in and switched on all the time. There are a couple of exceptions: a few home monitors are portable, and only need to be plugged in periodically for charging. And some more modern devices have the option to be monitored via an app downloaded onto a smartphone, rather than a bedside monitor. With these, the smartphone Bluetooth feature and the app must be on and open, running in the background all the time, to allow information to be sent to the cardiac centre when required.

Why should I keep my pacemaker home monitor switched on?

If you have a home monitor, keeping it plugged in and switched on is essential for several reasons.

If your pacemaker or ICD detects a problem with its function or with your heartbeat (which could happen without you even being aware of the issue) this information can only be sent to your cardiac centre if the home monitoring system is switched on. It also needs to be kept switched on for software updates and the monitor’s self-checking systems.

If you have a home monitor, keeping it plugged in and switched on is essential for several reasons

Turning your home monitor off and on repeatedly can damage the delicate circuitry within the monitor. Some monitors will automatically disable the ability to send information if turned off for a set period of time, and some monitors will prompt patients to send a transmission to your specialist every time it’s turned on, which can overburden the staff receiving these.

• Read more about pacemaker do’s and don’ts

How much does a home monitor cost to run?

Running a pacemaker home monitor is extremely low cost despite it being plugged in and switched on 24/7. The current estimated cost of running a bedside home monitor is 2.5p per day, which is approximately £9-10 a year – significantly less than the cost of travelling to and from hospital for checks. So try not to worry about the energy cost of your monitor, and try to focus on the fact that it is helping you look after your health.

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