CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Pacemaker implantation
- Pacemaker implantation available across London and Birmingham
- Be seen by a cardiac specialist in as little as 24 hours
- Different cardiac pacemaker types based on your personal diagnosis
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care*
PACEMAKER SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
If you need a pacemaker to help control your heart rhythm, with HCA UK you’re in safe and expert hands. Our skilled cardiac consultants and specialist teams have implanted over 700 heart pacemakers in the last three years alone.
We’re the UK’s No.1 for private cardiac care and here to help you explore different cardiac pacemaker types to find the best one for you. We’ve also pioneered minimally invasive techniques for heart pacemaker surgery that result in less pain and a quicker recovery. It’s why 99% of the 36,000 people we see for cardiac conditions every year say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
A pacemaker is a small electronic device that monitors your heart’s rhythm and prevents it from going too slowly.
Traditional pacemakers are surgically implanted under the skin of your chest and are connected to your heart with one or more wires. There are also ‘leadless’ pacemakers now, which are tiny, and implanted directly inside your heart.
Traditional pacemakers are surgically implanted under the skin of your chest and are connected to your heart with one or more wires. There are also ‘leadless’ pacemakers now, which are tiny, and implanted directly inside your heart.
A cardiac pacemaker sends safe and mild electrical impulses that help regulate your heartbeat if it’s too slow, or if your heart’s natural pacemaker isn’t functioning properly.
It essentially acts as a backup for your heart's natural electrical system.
It essentially acts as a backup for your heart's natural electrical system.
There are four main kinds of cardiac pacemaker:
- A single chamber pacemaker, which sends electrical signals to the right ventricle of your heart.
- A dual chamber pacemaker, which sends electrical signals to your upper and lower right heart chambers.
- A biventricular pacemaker, also called a cardiac resynchronisation pacemaker (CRT), which stimulates both lower heart chambers to help your heart muscle grow stronger. This can help if you have heart failure.
- A leadless pacemaker, which is a miniaturised device implanted via a tube in your leg to either your right ventricle, the upper right chamber of your heart (the right atrium), or both.
A pacemaker implantation is a minor surgical procedure. Heart pacemaker surgery usually takes about one to two hours, and you’ll be given either a light relaxant and local anaesthetic to numb the skin, or a general anaesthetic.
- For a wired heart pacemaker implantation, your cardiac specialist will make a small cut below your collarbone, guide insulated wires through a vein to the heart using X-ray imaging. They’ll then place the battery in a small pocket under your skin and close the cut.
- For a leadless pacemaker implantation, a tiny, capsule-sized device is guided through a catheter in the vein at the top of the leg and attached inside the heart's right ventricle. This is a minimally invasive procedure, with no need for a chest incision, a pocket under the skin or traditional pacing wires.
Pacemakers are about the same size as a matchbox, while implantable cardioverter defibrillators ICDs are about half the size of a deck of cards. They both contain a battery.
- A pacemaker is primarily used to treat a heart rhythm that’s too slow, by delivering low-level electrical impulses. It might be a small device connected to your heart with wires, or it might be a ‘leadless’ device that’s placed directly into the heart.
- An ICD is larger than a pacemaker and it’s designed to treat dangerously fast heart rhythms, which can be life-threatening. It treats fast heart rhythms either by delivering a train of rapid paced beats, or by delivering a high voltage shock. It also contains a pacemaker to stop your heart going too slowly. If you have heart failure, you can have an ICD that also has a CRT pacemaker, which together may improve the pumping of your heart.
Your consultant will explain the specific differences that relate to your condition in detail. They can also give you tailored advice about which device, if any, is the best way to treat your heart condition.
100+
heart rhythm specialist consultants
36,000+
cardiac patients treated every year
15
diagnostic centres and five hospitals dedicated to cardiac care
Innovative treatments
See a specialist and get dedicated, expert care
State-of-the-art facilities
New techniques and technology
Rapid access
Get tests, scans and results fast
THE PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION PROCESS
What to expect
If you’re experiencing heart problems, you want to know that you’re getting an accurate diagnosis, the right treatment and expert care. Our specialist cardiac teams will be here to help with both fitting your heart pacemaker and caring for it afterwards.
They’ll use the very latest technology and implantation techniques to help ensure the best results from your heart pacemaker surgery. Your particular procedure, including the type of device you have fitted, will be a decision that you and your consultant make together, but this should give you a good idea of the process.
They’ll use the very latest technology and implantation techniques to help ensure the best results from your heart pacemaker surgery. Your particular procedure, including the type of device you have fitted, will be a decision that you and your consultant make together, but this should give you a good idea of the process.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you have self-referred to us or been referred by your GP or a GP here at HCA UK, the first step will always be an initial consultation with one of our specialists. They’ll talk to you about your symptoms and discuss your overall medical history and any cardiac issues or treatment you’ve had in the past. They’ll also give you a thorough physical examination, explain the investigative diagnostic tests they think you need and arrange them for you.
02
Tests and scans
Before the procedure itself, you may need to have several tests to check your overall health and heart function. These can help your consultant to determine which kind of device you need, and the specific model and functionality that will help you best.
Those tests may include blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart’s electrical activity, an echocardiogram or cardiac MRI scan to assess its structure and movement, and an ECG monitor to look for abnormal heart rhythms. You’ll have access to the UK's most comprehensive cardiac diagnostics network, and the results should be ready within two working days. Your consultant will discuss these with you and take you through the next steps.
If you need an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted rather than a pacemaker, our specialists are also here to help.
Those tests may include blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart’s electrical activity, an echocardiogram or cardiac MRI scan to assess its structure and movement, and an ECG monitor to look for abnormal heart rhythms. You’ll have access to the UK's most comprehensive cardiac diagnostics network, and the results should be ready within two working days. Your consultant will discuss these with you and take you through the next steps.
If you need an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted rather than a pacemaker, our specialists are also here to help.
03
The procedure
Your device will be implanted in a specially designed cardiac catheterisation laboratory. You’ll either be given a local anaesthetic to numb your upper chest or upper leg area and sedation to make you sleepy, or a general anaesthetic.
Traditional pacemakers will be placed under your skin, below your collarbone and on the left side of your chest. It will be attached to a wire (or wires) passed into a vein and guided into your heart to regulate your heartbeat. If you’re having a leadless pacemaker fitted this will be introduced through a catheter at the top of the right leg.
The whole procedure usually takes about one to two hours.
Traditional pacemakers will be placed under your skin, below your collarbone and on the left side of your chest. It will be attached to a wire (or wires) passed into a vein and guided into your heart to regulate your heartbeat. If you’re having a leadless pacemaker fitted this will be introduced through a catheter at the top of the right leg.
The whole procedure usually takes about one to two hours.
04
Aftercare and monitoring
This is a short, minimally invasive procedure, but you need to be carefully monitored afterwards. Most people can go home the same day, but some may need to stay in hospital overnight. It’s best to arrange for someone to travel home with you afterwards to make sure you’re safe, and you shouldn’t overdo things for a week after the procedure.
Your consultant will talk through your procedure and recovery with you and let you know when you can get back to your usual routine and activities. They’ll also give you advice on medication, driving, exercise, travel, diet and alcohol. You can find out more in the FAQs section below.
Your consultant will talk through your procedure and recovery with you and let you know when you can get back to your usual routine and activities. They’ll also give you advice on medication, driving, exercise, travel, diet and alcohol. You can find out more in the FAQs section below.
Where can I get pacemaker surgery?
Depending on your specific diagnosis, you can access HCA UK’s specialist pacemaker implantation services at our excellent hospitals in London and Birmingham. You’ll be cared for by leading experts at every stage.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Pacemaker implantation FAQs
A cardiac pacemaker is a small, battery-powered electronic device designed to monitor your heart’s rhythm. It’s placed under the skin and delivers electrical impulses to regulate an abnormally slow or irregular heartbeat using a pulse generator. This is a small metal box with a battery and computer, and thin wires called leads, although some newer types are leadless.
A traditional pacemaker senses what your heart is doing through these leads. If it senses that your heart has slowed down or missed a beat, then it will send electrical impulse to help keep your heart beating at a normal rate and rhythm.
A traditional pacemaker senses what your heart is doing through these leads. If it senses that your heart has slowed down or missed a beat, then it will send electrical impulse to help keep your heart beating at a normal rate and rhythm.
The heart's natural pacemaker, called the sinoatrial (SA) node, is located in the upper wall of the right atrium.
If this starts to work less well causing heart rhythm problems, then your expert HCA UK cardiologist can implant a pacemaker with a battery which will sit under the skin, usually under the left-hand collarbone.
If this starts to work less well causing heart rhythm problems, then your expert HCA UK cardiologist can implant a pacemaker with a battery which will sit under the skin, usually under the left-hand collarbone.
Your consultant will talk to you in detail about your specific procedure and how you can fully prepare. If you’re taking any medication, it’s important to let us know, because you may need to stop taking it before one of your tests, or the procedure itself. You’ll be asked to stop eating and drinking a few hours before the procedure itself.
You may need to stay overnight, so pack what you’ll need for the stay, and please also make sure that you’ve arranged to have someone travel home with you afterwards.
You may need to stay overnight, so pack what you’ll need for the stay, and please also make sure that you’ve arranged to have someone travel home with you afterwards.
Your specialist cardiologist will usually use a local anaesthetic to numb the area and offer mild sedation to help you feel relaxed. Sometimes a general anaesthetic is best. They’ll then make a small chest incision and guide thin wires through a vein to the heart, placing the small device under the skin near the collarbone before closing the cut.
The whole pacemaker implantation procedure only takes about 60 minutes.
The whole pacemaker implantation procedure only takes about 60 minutes.
If you have a condition that causes an arrhythmia, especially a slow heart rate, that means your heart's electrical conduction system is being disrupted. A pacemaker can help. Conditions that may require a pacemaker include:
Recovery from pacemaker implantation surgery needs to be slow and steady. You’ll probably be able to get back to light activities within a few days, but it can take a month or 6 weeks for your tissue to fully heal while your pacemaker gradually anchors into your tissue. During that time, you shouldn’t raise your left arm over your head.
You’ll have mild soreness and bruising. You’ll also feel a small, hard bulge near the incision site, which is the pacemaker battery.
You may need someone at home to help for the first few days, and your expert team at HCA UK will give you instructions about caring for your wound, showering and dressing.
You’ll have mild soreness and bruising. You’ll also feel a small, hard bulge near the incision site, which is the pacemaker battery.
You may need someone at home to help for the first few days, and your expert team at HCA UK will give you instructions about caring for your wound, showering and dressing.
Although this is a well-established, low-risk procedure, like all surgical procedures, there are potential risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you and answer any questions you have.
Your consultant will discuss your specific condition with you in detail but here is some general guidance.
- Flying with a pacemaker: You should get clearance from your doctor before you fly, especially if you had the device implanted very recently but yes, you can safely fly with a pacemaker. The flight itself and cabin pressure will not harm your device.
- Driving with a pacemaker: You shouldn’t drive for at least a week after having a pacemaker fitted. You must always inform the DVLA and your driving and travel insurers if you’ve had a pacemaker fitted. If you drive an HGV or passenger-carrying vehicle, you need to check with you cardiologist and the DVLA before starting to drive again.
- Having an MRI with a pacemaker: You can have an MRI with a pacemaker as long as your device is compatible. All modern pacemakers are rated as what’s known as ‘MRI-conditional’, but older models or leads may not be. You’ll need expert pre-scan programming and close medical monitoring. The MRI teams at HCA UK are experts in scanning patients with pacemakers and we do these regularly, unlike many other hospitals. Your specialist can give you precise guidance.
Pacemakers are driven by lithium-iodide batteries which typically last 7-10 years. You’ll need to attend annual pacemaker checks so you know when your batteries need changing, although most patients now are also monitored remotely through their mobile phone or a bedside monitor at home.
How long your own battery will last will depend on the model of device you have implanted and your own heart condition.
When it reaches the end of its life, your cardiologist will replace the whole device in a simple procedure. Pacing leads generally last 10-20 years and so sometimes need changing.
A private heart pacemaker implantation with HCA UK will give you faster access to dedicated specialists and the vital continuity of care you need. The cost of a private pacemaker implantation will depend on your condition and diagnosis. Transparency matters to us at HCA UK, which is why we always offer clear pricing for self-pay patients.
You can find more details in the ‘Accessing private healthcare’ section of this page. Alternatively, refer to our guide to paying for private medical healthcare, or get in touch for a personalised quote.
You can find more details in the ‘Accessing private healthcare’ section of this page. Alternatively, refer to our guide to paying for private medical healthcare, or get in touch for a personalised quote.
Cardiac arrhythmia is when there’s something wrong with the electrical signals that control your heart’s rhythm. It can make your heart beat irregularly or go too fast or too slow.
Many people with heart arrhythmias lead normal lives. However, some need close monitoring and treatment. That can involve taking medication, making positive lifestyle changes or having a procedure, such as implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator, or by having catheter ablation.
If you have any concerns about your heart, it’s best to get it checked out. Please speak to one of our specialists.
Many people with heart arrhythmias lead normal lives. However, some need close monitoring and treatment. That can involve taking medication, making positive lifestyle changes or having a procedure, such as implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator, or by having catheter ablation.
If you have any concerns about your heart, it’s best to get it checked out. Please speak to one of our specialists.
Our patients’ stories
“The wound settled down very quickly after being discharged. There’s only a very small scar. I can feel the pacemaker if I touch my chest, but it’s been fine, and all has been going well. I’ve had two pacing checks since having the CSP implanted and my rhythm has much improved. I feel great and overall very grateful.”
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*Based on national private cardiac volumes. Data source: The Private Healthcare Information Network. 1 January 2025-1 December 2025