Body image changes associated with dual-chamber pacemaker insertion in women.
Journal Article (Journal Article;Multicenter Study)
PURPOSE: The study's purpose was to examine body image changes in subjects participating in a long-term multicenter pacemaker trial. METHODS: At study closeout, 383 adults, all of whom had received a dual-chamber pacemaker, completed questionnaires evaluating what effect their pacemaker or pacemaker site and scar had on them or their spouses or significant others. RESULTS: Most reported that their pacemaker did not change the way they or their spouses or significant others felt about their body (73.2% and 93.5%, respectively). Most (87.1%) denied feeling differently because of the pacemaker site and scar. Most were not concerned how their clothes fit or about wearing a swimsuit (92.0% and 90.7%, respectively). Women were more concerned about how the pacemaker site and scar made them feel about their body (P =.001), clothes fitting (P =.002), and wearing a swimsuit (P =.004). Men were more concerned with how their spouses or significant others perceived them postimplantation (P =.021). CONCLUSIONS: Most subjects did not express undue concern about changes in body image.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Davis, LL; Vitale, KA; Irmiere, CA; Hackney, TA; Belew, KM; Chikowski, AMR; Sullivan, CA; Hellkamp, AS; Schron, EB; Lamas, GA
Published Date
- 2004
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 33 / 5
Start / End Page
- 273 - 280
PubMed ID
- 15454905
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0147-9563
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2004.04.005
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States