I recently had an ICD implanted 1 week ago at Beth Israel. I need to get connected with a support group but would like to go somewhere near my home. I live in Cumberland RI. I have so many questions and I am having difficulty adjusting to this. I could cry on a moments notice. I had the device for ejection fractions of 30%.
We are not aware of any ICD support groups in the Rhode Island area. We would suggest that you contact your local health care provider or hospital to inquire about the availability of a local support group. In the meantime, you should contact your primary care doctor and/or your cardiologist to discuss your concerns.
I am curious about patients that are having success living with the ICD. How much heart damage would the average person have? Does that make any difference in managing a life style with damage. I have had my ICD 2 1/2 years. My hospital doesn't have a support group any more. I have 50% damage and it makes me nervous about doing too much activity. The excellent video mentions a girl who went back to running and I was amazed.
There are published guidelines that outline the indications for ICD implantation which are based on data from large scale clinical trials. Most of these studies are done in patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure who have left ventricular dysfunction (weakened pumping function) as defined by an ejection fraction of < 30%. The ejection fraction is a measurement of the portion of blood ejected with each heart beat. A "normal" ejection fraction ranges between 55-70%. Some individuals are born with genetic abnormalities that predispose them to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although these individuals have normal heart muscle function, they are still at risk of dying suddenly and generally benefit from having an ICD implanted. So, as you can see, there is a broad spectrum of people who qualify for an ICD and not all of them have "heart damage".
Exercise is an important part of heart health, even in individuals with "heart damage". I would suggest that your speak with your cardiologist about your specific condition and what type of exercise program would work best for you. It might be helpful for you to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program or cardiac wellness program, where trained professionals can assist you in returning to a more active lifestyle in a monitored environment. This will help build your confidence and may make you less nervous about participating in the activities you enjoy.
1. How many types of ICD in the market and estimated costs? 2. Will the use of ICD will restrict sexual function for men? 3. What is the alternative treatment to ICD other than Amiodarine as third degree medicine for arrhythmia?
There are three major biomedical companies in the U.S. that manufacture implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) – Medtronic, Boston Scientific and St. Jude Medical. There are also biomedical companies in Europe that manufacture ICDs. The cost can vary depending on the type of device, but it is typically covered by most insurance companies.
The ICD – in and of itself – does not restrict sexual activity in men. The one main precaution to take is to make sure that you maintain your heart rate below the rate cutoff (detection zone) of the device during sexual activity. You should consult your physician for specific information pertaining to your device settings and to determine if sexual activity is permitted with your clinical condition.
The ICD has been evaluated in numerous large-scale randomized clinical trials and has been shown to be the best known treatment for management of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Antiarrhythmic medications and "catheter ablation" procedures can be used in addition to the ICD to help minimize recurrent arrhythmic events.
If the ICD is protected from impact by padding can a patient participate in contact sports? Thank you for your support.
It depends on the type of contact sport your are considering. We suggest that you contact your implanting physician for further recommendations.
See the Archive Page for more questions and answers about ICDs.
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