Pacemaker Patients' Perception of Unsafe Activities
Author Information
Author(s): Aqeel Masooma, Shafquat Azam, Salahuddin Nawal
Primary Institution: The Aga Khan University Hospital
Hypothesis
Do pacemaker patients perceive routine activities as interfering with their device function?
Conclusion
Pacemaker patients perceive many routine activities as unsafe, which may lead to lifestyle restrictions.
Supporting Evidence
- 41% of patients were illiterate.
- 77.4% recalled receiving counseling at implantation.
- 28% felt unsafe driving automobiles.
- 31% felt unsafe passing through metal detectors.
- 37% felt unsafe bending over.
- 30% felt unsafe sleeping on the side of the pacemaker.
- 55% felt unsafe using electrical irons.
- 56% felt unsafe using electrical wall switches.
Takeaway
Patients with pacemakers think many everyday activities are dangerous, even though they are safe.
Methodology
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 47-question tool administered to pacemaker patients.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to small sample size and lack of standardized counseling.
Limitations
The study did not assess the extent to which misperceptions affected quality of life.
Participant Demographics
93 adult patients, 45% males, 41% illiterate, mean age 58.6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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