Heart devices help do the work of your heart, either temporarily or more permanently. 

Heart devices can help support people with these conditions: 

• ​​Arrhythmias: Heart rhythms that are too fast, slow or irregular
• ​​​Heart failure: Your heart doesn't pump enough blood

You're able to wear some heart devices. They record your heart over time and can help your cardiologist diagnose heart rhythm problems. 

Doctors may need to implant other heart devices. You might need this type of heart device temporarily, such as during or after surgery. Or you might live with the heart device permanently.

Heart devices 

Devices that can help diagnose heart problems:  

• Holter monitor: A small wearable device that can monitor your heart rhythms for a few days. It helps cardiologists diagnose arrhythmias that may not happen during an EKG.
• Cardiac loop recorder: A device that records your heart rhythm and can help diagnose arrhythmias. A doctor implants it but can easily remove it once you get diagnosed. People have loop recorders that last much longer than Holter monitors — often months. 

These devices help treat heart problems: 

• Pacemaker: A small, implanted device that helps keep your heartbeat regular by sending electrical impulses to your heart. Pacemakers usually treat heartbeats that are too slow, but sometimes also treat fast heartbeats. There are different types of pacemakers.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): This small, implanted device tracks your heart rate. It can deliver an electric shock if necessary. ICDs treat people with life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. Some ICDs are also pacemakers.
• Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) device: Also known as the WATCHMAN, this device’s main purpose is to help prevent a stroke. To do that, it closes the left atrial appendage, which prevents blood clots from forming. It's implanted once and becomes part of your tissue over time.
• Left ventricular assist device (LVAD): We use an LVAD in heart failure when a pacemaker isn’t enough. It can be a temporary step before heart transplant or used to treat symptoms if a heart transplant isn't an option. LVAD is an implanted mechanical pump that does the work of your left ventricle, pumping blood out to the body. 

People get heart devices for different reasons. Sometimes, it's the next step in ongoing treatment for a heart condition.  

Other times, it's in response to a life-threatening event. For example, if your heart suddenly stops beating because of a dangerous arrhythmia, your surgical team may implant an ICD. 

Even if your arrhythmia isn't life-threatening, it can still impact your quality of life. It can also put you at risk for heart failure. Your doctor may suggest implanting a pacemaker if other therapies haven't helped. 

Your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of devices like WATCHMAN to treat A-fib. The WATCHMAN device can help prevent stroke and a lifetime of taking blood thinning medicines.

Depending on your heart issue, you may get a cardiac device from a general cardiologist, electrophysiologist, structural or interventional cardiologist, or a cardiothoracic surgeon. 

If you're getting an implantable heart device, it requires an outpatient procedure or surgery. 

Implanting a loop recorder is usually an outpatient procedure. You'll still need someone to drive you home because you'll be coming off sedation. 

With pacemakers and ICDs, you'll generally stay in the hospital for at least a day. Though these are small surgeries with only small incisions, your care team will want to ensure your device works. 

The same is true of the WATCHMAN procedure. Because we use a catheter, it's minimally invasive and only requires small incisions. But your care team will want to watch you overnight. 

Implanting an LVAD is a major surgery and requires a more traditional incision. You'll be on a heart-lung bypass machine during the surgery. Most people stay at least a few days in the cardiac ICU after an LVAD surgery. 

You may need to stay in the hospital for a few weeks as you adjust to life with an LVAD. You'll learn about how to use it and continue to recover. 

When you have a heart device, Carilion's heart care team monitors the data the device generates. You'll have a monitoring system (usually an app) too. We'll ensure you understand all the technology your device uses and how to read it. 

Each day, your device will send a report to our team. This is how we can track how well your device is working. Some people might need their devices reprogrammed or tweaked periodically. 

We'll ensure you know who to contact if you have any concerning symptoms.