ICD after heart attack

[ApBa]

I had a HA in October which resulted in Two cardiac arrests. I went to see the heart failure nurse today and was told I need an ICD but am not sure why. My EF was 34 after last echo. Just looking for advice.

[RufusScamp]

If your cardio team recommend it, I would suggest you go ahead. It will give you more security in the future. Meds and an ICD greatly improved my EF.

[ApBa in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you for the reply. Great to hear it has helped improve your EF and hopefully it can do the same for me.

[Hidden]

Dear ApBa

You must ask the question to your heart team who will be pleased to read your tests to tell you why you have been put forward for one of these remarkable machines.

Have no fear that there will be a clear answer to this question for as routine as the operation seems to be, it is not and they must feel that the outcome will improve your symptoms a lot for them to consider both the risk and cost of doing the procedure on you.

It has without doubt saved my life and hopefully will continue to do so .

Take care and get that phone call done, lift that worry and get on with your amazing life.

[Flimflab in reply to Hidden]

I agree your cardiac specialist are your first point of call.

If it helps my mother has had an ICD since hear heart attack nearly 20 years ago. In her case, but maybe not in yours, it has let her specialist team check her heart remotely and I think it has only had to stabilise her heart rate on a couple of occassions.

[sturon]

Hi. As Blue1958 says you should ask your cardiologist any questions.

I suspect as you had two cardiac arrests the team want your heart continually monitored and in the unlikely event you have a further cardiac arrests the ICD would deliver treatment to you. My husband had an S-ICD implanted 5 years ago following two out of hospital cardiac arrests. Fortunately, I am a nurse and could do CPR until help arrived. He has never needed any heart rhythm correction but it is his very own paramedic. He downloads information to the hospital each week so they can keep an eye on him. We find it very reassuring.

Good luck,

[pasigal]

I wore an external defibrillator vest for 6 months after my somewhat mysterious cardiac arrest (following previous stents). Apparently there were no anomalous readings from the vest, so it was decided not to fit me with an ICD. But it was cool to talk to the company that made the vest (LifeVest) -- I was able to directly contact them when there were some glitches and the techs were very generous with what they were seeing (or in my case, happily NOT seeing)

That said, I would have been totally happy to receive an ICD, as it would be an extra layer of security.

I'm sure your team can tell you exactly why you are a good candidate for one.

[KentFox]

My ICD was fitted after my heart attack and resulting ejection fraction of 30%. I was told there is a chance that it may never be needed but if it was needed it could save my life. I couldn't see ay downside but 18 months later my left subclavian vein where the cable from the ICD to the heart ran has become blocked and I am waiting for a stent to be fitted. I think the blocked vein may be relatively rare as it took over a year to be diagnosed but it is a risk, Other than the blocked vein I had no negatives in having it fitted. As with the other advice if it has been offered then the cardiac team believe there is a benefit but talk to them and discuss the positives and negatives,

[Batty55]

Hi ApBa,

I am in same position as you. Scary isn’t it. I was told but like having an angiogram. I guess we have to try and embrace a procedure that could keep us ‘ticking over’ with an optimistic future rather than the uncertainty we have now.

Go for it & may you have a wonderful future. All the very best 😀

[Curryandchips]

Not sure why an ICD would have any effect of your EF. An ICD is there to shock your heart should it go "wonky". They appear to be fitting more of these units as a form of insurance. I have had mine for 5 years and it has never been required.....thank god!

[ApBa in reply to Curryandchips]

Maybe because I had two cardiac arrests after my HA I need ICD, but good to know you have been ok for 5 years with your ICD

[Cagney31 in reply to ApBa]

Hi ApBA ,

In June 2017 I had cardiac arrest and a few days later fitted me with defibrillator/ pacemaker which I was very apprehensive about , I felt fine after my cardiac arrest , I had always kept myself fit and felt fine.

I have left ventricular failure , my heart just decides to go bananas sometimes, they say it’s the electrics. I didn’t want a machine in me or meds , I felt fine, they told me I might never have a cardiac arrest but then it could happen anytime and this icd will save my life.

My Icd went off on two occasions , one month after fitted , hit me four times , kicks like a mule , I felt I was getting punched from inside, then again a few months later , they said it had been inappropriate shocks , teething problems , adjusted machine ect

Then on Halloween 2021 machine went off when I was having a nightmare , I actually thought I was dreaming , I woke up with a scream next to my wife, I’m like I think this icd has just hit me , or I’ve been dreaming, then bang -bang - bang it hit me , this time it was an inappropriate shock they said the icd done it’s Job , my heart had went up over 25o so machine had zapped me. The weird thing the nightmare I was having was I was watching my self being shocked in my dream .

I’m actually sitting here now after having another appropriate shock on 17/04 / 24 ,I had forgotten I had this icd , then bang went off when I was chilling watching a bit of tv. Just the one hit this time , never felt it , I had been sitting relaxing when I felt a weird feeling started from my stomach and I felt I was going to pass out , then bang I woke up kicked the table drop my drink , my dogs had been lying on me they had all ran up stairs , jumping on my daughters bed , then wife’s. She came down wondering what was going on , I’m cleaning the glass, again I felt ok but the area were icd was sore , I’m saying I think machine went off but not sure . I decided just to go to bed , phone call in the morning to update me my heart went over 300 hundred and icd zapped me.

I just think it’s strange when I’ve had these heart shocks it’s always when I’m relaxed, well meant to be relaxed when sleeping but was having a nightmare one of the times and other two sitting

Well at least I’m still here it’s saved my life twice now.

Cheers Kenny

[Franksluckypants]

Hi,

I’m 56 & had my cardiac arrest out of hospital in May 2017. Had my ICD fitted 5 days later - they wouldn’t let me out of hospital after the initial arrest till I had the Defib fitted.

Talking about the ICD providing medical treatment - shocking you back into a normal sinus rhythm from ventricular fibrillation (when the main heart muscle beats out of control way too fast). Mine has fired twice. Something that you will not miss or mistake as it’s like a heavy weight punch! A third time the ICD treatment involved taking control of my excessively beating heart and bring it back to normal without shocking me as it’s also a pacemaker as well as a defibrillator. I wasn’t initially aware of that episode. An incredible device. Saved my life as was on my own when it shocked me.

The monitor under the bed records and sends heart beat info to my local cardio unit. Every single heart beat is recorded on the device. Should there be an abnormal rhythm the ICD monitor let’s the hospital know.

Change in my meds and a ventricular ablation procedure since and no shocks for the last couple of years.

I’ve pretty much forgotten I have one, apart from when I fly (avoid the magnetic metal detectors), but it really does reduce the stress and worry that ‘it’ might happen again!

Good luck!!