Cardiac Device Monitoring

Your care doesn’t stop after you get a pacemaker or defibrillator. Regular, ongoing monitoring is essential for all cardiac devices.

At Henry Ford Heart & Vascular, we offer remote device monitoring so you don’t have to come in for as many appointments. We carefully track the effectiveness of your implant to keep your heart safe and healthy.

Learn more about our electrophysiology program at Henry Ford Health.

Why choose Henry Ford for cardiac device monitoring?

It’s important to get your pacemaker or defibrillator checked occasionally to make sure it’s meeting your needs. At our specialized Device Clinic, we carefully follow your treatment and make sure you know when it’s time to come in. We offer:

• Specially trained staff: Our device nurses offer a wealth of knowledge for pacemakers and defibrillators. They understand the technical needs of these devices. Nurses closely watch your device and its affect on your heart rhythm, both in person and while you’re at home. They communicate with your electrophysiologist and make treatment recommendations.
• Remote monitoring, for fewer appointments: Your pacemaker or defibrillator can communicate with our Device Clinic via the internet. A monitor next to your bed sends us the information we need and lets us know if there is an issue with your device. This connection means you need to come to our office less than you otherwise would. We’ve also started implanting Bluetooth-capable devices that communicate with your smartphone and doctors for improved and efficient care.
• Follow-up arrhythmia care in your community: If you prefer, we can work with your primary care doctor or local cardiologist for follow-up arrhythmia care closer to home. We are happy to consult with these doctors. In fact, we regularly train doctors and nurses in rural areas who care for people with pacemakers and defibrillators.

Your first clinic visit

The nurse practitioners and physician assistants at our Device Clinic have specialized training. They only work with people with implanted devices.

At your first visit, we:

• Test your device to see if it’s working properly
• Adjust your device’s setting as needed
• Answer questions about your device

Ongoing device monitoring

People with pacemakers and defibrillators usually need a device checkup at our clinic once a year. If you do need a visit, we usually complete your device checkup in as little as 15 minutes. During these appointments, we:

• Examine your device’s batteries and electrical functions
• Use a special computer to read data from your device, to determine how hard it’s working to regulate your heartbeat
• Adjust your device’s settings as needed