Resource List for Parents

1. http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site567/mainpageS567P0.html
Source: Children’s Hospital Boston
“Heart’s Electrical System” provides an overview of how the heart pumps/beats. The site achieves credibility by its status as a world-leader in research and treatment, as well as its affiliation with Harvard Medical School. A parent of a child with heart block or an arrhythmia would benefit by learning how the electrical impulses of the heart move through the heart’s conduction system.

2. http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site473/mainpageS473P0.html
Source: Children’s Hospital Boston
“Arrhythmia” details extensive information on heart arrhythmias. The author is a world-renowned children’s hospital. The site achieves credibility by its status as a world-leader in research and treatment, as well as its affiliation with Harvard Medical School.
A parent of a child with heart block or an arrhythmia would benefit by learning about the different types of arrhythmias, how arrhythmias are diagnosed, treatments for arrhythmias, and the latest research on arrhythmias.

3. http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/cardiac/pacemkr.html
Source: Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford
“Overview of Pacemakers” gives a summary of pacemakers and their components, along with some wonderful illustrations of pacemakers inside the body. The author is a major, well-respected children’s hospital. The site achieves credibility by its reputation as a research children’s hospital and its affiliation with Stanford University. A parent of a child needing a pacemaker or pacemaker replacement would benefit by learning information on pacemaker components, the heart’s electrical system, and pacemaker implantation.

4. http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/cardiac/lwp.html
Source: Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford
“Living With a Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)” provides basic pediatric pacemaker information. The author is a major, well-respected children’s hospital. The site achieves credibility by its reputation as a research children’s hospital and its affiliation with Stanford University. A parent of a child needing a pacemaker or pacemaker replacement would benefit by learning pacemaker precautions, sports participation guidelines, and pulse information.

5. http://www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom/Site1339/printerfriendlypageS1339P1sublevel406.html
Source: Children’s Hospital Boston
“iPods and similar devices found not to affect pacemaker function” reports Boston Children’s own 2007 study on the effect of four digital music players, including the iPod, with pacemakers. The site achieves credibility by its status as a world-leader in research and treatment, as well as its affiliation with Harvard Medical School. A parent of a child with pacemaker would benefit by learning reliable information on whether their child could use a digital music player as well as how it should be used.

6. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/heartblockkids/
Source: Yahoo Groups
This online group provides a forum for parents of children with congenital heart block to virtually gather. The “author” is a community of parents sharing the experience of parenting children with congenital heart block. The site achieves credibility by its members’ experiences. A parent of a child with heart block would benefit by learning about other families’ experience with a child with congenital heart block.

7. http://www.bostonscientific.com/procedure/ProcedureLanding.bsci/,,/navRelId/1000.1002/method/Procedure/id/10001001/seo.serve
Source: Guidant/ Boston Scientific
“Pacemaker Implantation” explains the pacemaker implantation procedure, accompanied by an excellent illustration of the procedure image. The author is a one of the largest manufacturers of pacemakers in the world. The site achieves credibility by its status as a pacemaker researcher and manufacturer. A parent of a child with a pacemaker would benefit by 1) viewing the high-quality illustration of a pacemaker implanted within the body, and 2) reading the information on pacemaker implantation.

8. http://www.medtronic.com/rhythms/downloads/UC200602918EN.pdf
Source: Medtronic
The “Electromagnetic Compatibility Guide” lists electronic devices that may interfere with a pacemaker’s performance. The author is a one of the largest manufacturers of pacemakers in the world. The site achieves credibility by its status as a pacemaker researcher and manufacturer. A parent of a child with a pacemaker would benefit by learning what devices are safe to use with a pacemaker as well as restrictions and guidelines on other devices.

9. http://www.medtronic.com/your-health/bradycardia/BRADYCARDIA-BROCHURES.htm
Source: Medtronic
“Printable Brochures” lists a large number of helpful brochures for people living with pacemakers. The author is a one of the largest manufacturers of pacemakers in the world. The site achieves credibility by its status as a pacemaker researcher and manufacturer. A parent of a child with a pacemaker would benefit by reading specific brochures about pacemakers as they relate to dental and medical procedures, and cell phones, as well as brochures on the heart and circulatory system.

10. http://www.lifebeatonline.com/
Source: Guidant/ Boston Scientific
“Lifebeat Online,” an e-newsletter, provides pacemaker updates, cardiac news and health tips. The author is a one of the largest manufacturers of pacemakers in the world. The site achieves credibility by its status as a pacemaker researcher and manufacturer. A parent of a child with a pacemaker would benefit by subscribing to the newsletter and receiving updates and tips.