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Which issue is NOT a common problem with implanted pacemakers?

  1. Failure to pace

  2. Pacemaker oversensing

  3. Electromagnetic interference

  4. Irregular heart rate

The correct answer is: Irregular heart rate

Implanted pacemakers are designed to regulate heart rhythms and provide electrical stimulation when the heart's natural pacemaker is not functioning properly. A common issue that is not typically associated with pacemakers is an irregular heart rate. While pacemakers can help stabilize heart rhythms, if they are working correctly, they should result in a more consistent heart rate, reducing irregularities rather than causing them. On the other hand, failure to pace, pacemaker oversensing, and electromagnetic interference are all recognized issues that can arise with implanted pacemakers. Failure to pace occurs when the pacemaker does not deliver the necessary electrical impulses to cause heartbeats. Pacemaker oversensing happens when the device is too responsive to electrical signals not originating from the heart, which can lead to inappropriate inhibition of pacing. Electromagnetic interference can disrupt the normal function of the pacemaker, potentially leading to pacing failures or incorrect sensing of the heart's activity. Thus, irregular heart rate is not a common problem with implanted pacemakers when they are functioning correctly, making it the correct answer to this question.