The process of checking your pacemaker settings is called
interrogation.
New pacemakers have very advanced features. One of the most desirable
features is that the doctor can program a pacemaker to work in different ways
depending on your needs.
No surgery is needed to check your pacemaker settings. The doctor
places a special programming device directly on your chest, over the pacemaker
(on top of your skin and clothes), and 'interrogates' the pacemaker. The
pacemaker automatically sends back information about how it is currently
programmed. Based on what you need, your doctor can use similar techniques to
reprogram the pacemaker to work differently.
The strength and length of the impulse sent to the heart muscle and
how fast the pacemaker will go can be programmed into the pacemaker.
