Sue,

I have a sister and a cousin with a pace maker. They have to telephone in every two months and have it checked out on phone line. They can do it like that.

I think that once a person gets it calibrated properly for themselves and gets used to it, it shouldn't be too bad for them. I do believe that certain magnetic and certain electronic signals are to be kept away from that left side of the person. I'm sure that the person wearing the pacemaker would be instructed.

I think the main thing it does is give some relief to the person who has had some scares with their heart getting out of control. Extended times of super fast beating can cause clots to form in the heart chambers of some people as the blood doesn't fill the chambers rightly at flutter speeds. Some people have worn out more than one unit and are still going.

Having a pacemaker placed should not significantly change the recipient's life or lifestyle. The ones I have seen placed are usually due to malfunctions which cause the heart rate to slow to a dangerously low rate which causes increased risk of clotting and syncopal episodes (passing out and/ or related falls). As Wayne mentioned, they are usually checked for proper functioning via phone, and your FIL will need to be followed by his cardiologist. This procedure should not cause a significant change based on what I have observed. Do always tell any new physician about this part of his medical history, though.
Mrs H

thank you kindly for your insights Wayne and Mrs H, I feel better about it all now.
I do care about my FIL and worry about him as he is 89 now.