Denver Man’s Life Saved by Tiny Leadless Pacemaker
Hey there, Ope Vox listeners! It’s called a leadless pacemaker, and it’s helping people like Bennie Milliner in Denver live fuller lives. Ever wondered if a new gadget could keep your heart ticking smoothly without major surgery? Stick with me for the next couple of minutes as we explore this game-changing tech, why it matters for older adults, and how you can take charge of your heart health.
Our story comes from CBS Colorado. Bennie Milliner’s heart stopped back in 2018 during a stent procedure, but Denver Health doctors brought him back. Fast forward to August 2025, and Bennie’s heart was pausing for up to 10 seconds at a time—a scary condition called bradycardia. Enter the leadless pacemaker, a tiny capsule made by Medtronic, 93% smaller than traditional pacemakers. Unlike older models with wires and a battery under your skin, this one sits entirely inside the heart, sending small electrical pulses to keep it beating steadily. It’s a lifesaver, but questions about cost and access linger.
The leadless pacemaker, like Medtronic’s Micra, is different. It’s a small capsule, about the size of a large vitamin pill, that’s placed directly in the heart’s right ventricle through a catheter in your leg. No chest incision, no wires. According to Medtronic, nearly 200,000 people worldwide have received a Micra since its FDA approval in 2016. Studies, like one from the American College of Cardiology, show it has a 99.2% success rate for implantation and a 96% safety rate at six months, with fewer complications than traditional pacemakers. The latest models, like the Micra AV2 and VR2, boast battery lives of 16-17 years, meaning most patients—over 80%—may only need one device for life. That’s huge for older adults who want fewer surgeries. But, like any new tech, it’s not perfect, and we’ll explore that next.
So, what’s the big deal? Traditional pacemakers need wires threaded through your veins and a battery pack in your chest, which can lead to infections or breakage. The leadless version, like Medtronic’s Micra, is the size of a vitamin pill and goes straight into your heart through a vein in your leg—no chest incision needed. Studies show it has a 99% success rate and fewer complications, which is huge for older adults who want less recovery time. Imagine someone like Jane, a 70-year-old who loves gardening but kept fainting. With a leadless pacemaker, she’s back to her roses in days. But it’s not perfect—it’s mainly for single-chamber pacing, and costs can be high, especially if Medicare doesn’t fully cover it.
Here’s what you can do: if you’re feeling dizzy or faint, talk to your doctor about heart rhythm issues. Ask if a leadless pacemaker might work for you, and check out hrsonline.org for a great patient guide on pacemakers. This week, try a heart-healthy step, like a 10-minute walk. Stay well, friends!
