Medically reviewed by Dr Pinakin V Parekh, General & Interventional Cardiologist (MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), GDFM (Singapore), FAMS (Singapore), FRCP (Glasgow)). Last Updated: 2026, 28 August
Founder & Medical Director of Trident Heart Centre
Dr Pinakin V Parekh is an interventional cardiologist in Singapore with over 20 years of experience in heart care. He specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heaart diseases, including procedures such as angiogram and angioplasty.
A pacemaker is a small medical device that helps regulate your heart rate when it is too slow or irregular.
It works by:
The device is usually placed just under the skin in the upper chest area.
Your doctor may recommend a pacemaker if your heart is not beating properly due to problems with its electrical system.
Common reasons include:
A pacemaker helps ensure your heart maintains a safe and effective rhythm.
A pacemaker continuously monitors your heart rhythm. When it detects that your heart is beating too slowly or irregularly, it sends electrical impulses to help correct it.
In simple terms:
Modern pacemakers are highly responsive and can adjust to your activity level.
Pacemaker implantation is a minimally invasive procedure performed in a specialised cardiac setting.
Before your procedure, you may be advised to:
Your care team will provide clear instructions beforehand.
During pacemaker implantation:
The procedure usually takes 1–2 hours.
After implantation:
Yes, pacemaker implantation is considered a safe and routine procedure.
Like any medical procedure, there are small risks, which may include:
Your doctor will discuss all risks and benefits with you before proceeding.
Recovery is usually straightforward.
In the first few days:
Over the next few weeks:
Most patients return to normal life relatively quickly.
A pacemaker is designed to support your daily life, not limit it.
Most patients can:
You will also have regular follow-ups to ensure the device is working properly and adjust settings if needed.
Many patients experience significant improvement in symptoms after implantation, including:
The goal is to help you feel more stable and confident in daily activities.
Pacemakers are powered by a battery that typically lasts several years.
When the battery runs low:
Your doctor will monitor battery levels during follow-up visits.
To provide greater convenience and reassurance after your pacemaker implant, Trident Heart Centre also offers remote home monitoring options.
Remote monitoring allows your pacemaker data to be securely transmitted from home to your care team, reducing the need for frequent in-clinic checks while helping monitor your heart rhythm and device function more closely.
Benefits of Remote Pacemaker Monitoring
With remote monitoring support, patients can feel more reassured knowing their pacemaker and heart rhythm can continue to be monitored closely even while going about their normal daily life.
No. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and sedation, so you should not feel pain during it. Mild soreness may occur afterwards.
It usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Most patients do not notice it after recovery, although you may be aware of a small bump under the skin.
Yes. Most patients return to full, active lives after recovery.
Regular follow-ups are needed, and the battery typically lasts several years before replacement is required.
Dr Pinakin uses current, evidence-based methods to carefully evaluate and treat heart conditions, helping you feel confident in your care.
Every patient is treated as an individual, with attention to your full health and lifestyle, not just the heart problem.
From assessment to treatment, screenings and procedures are conveniently coordinated in one place for a smoother, more reassuring experience.
