Quality of Life Before and at 6 and 12 Months After Permanent Cardiac Pacemaker Implantation and Recipients' Perspectives and Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Implantation of a permanent cardiac pacemaker (PPM) is critical for managing rhythm disorders and prolonging survival. Beyond clinical outcomes, implantation can affect patients’ quality of life (QoL), encompassing physical and mental dimensions. The present study aimed to evaluate QoL among patients undergoing PPM implantation, both before implantation and at 6 and 12 months post-implantation, as well as the associated perspectives and behaviors after 6 and 12 months. Methods In the present study, 112 patients undergoing PPM implantation were enrolled at a public hospital in Athens between 2023 and 2025. Participants were selected by the method of convenience sampling. Data collection was performed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Scores for the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) were calculated using QoL scores that range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher QoL. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28 (Released 2021; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The PCS presented a mean of 36.2 ± 4.6, and the MCS a mean of 40.9 ± 13.5 before implantation. Post-implantation at 6 and 12 months, the mean PCS score was 34.7 ± 4.9 and 35.3 ± 4.3, respectively, while the mean MCS score was 55.6 ± 8.3 and 59.3 ± 7.7, respectively. Better PCS at 6 and 12 months was associated with adherence to regular follow-up (p = 0.013 and p = 0.027), antiarrhythmic therapy (p = 0.004 and p = 0.041), assistance at home (p = 0.026 and p = 0.012), and being physically active (p = 0.022 and p = 0.004). Better MCS at 6 and 12 months was associated with anxiety about rhythm disorders (p = 0.013 and p = 0.016), participation in social activities (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001), assistance at home (p = 0.001 and p = 0.019), and being physically active (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001). Conclusion Assessing both QoL and patients’ perspectives before and after PPM implantation provides valuable insights into the real-world impact of this therapy and informs patient-centered care.