Hi not Bern on here for a while but please help someone, I gad my ha may 2022 am doing good never felt healthier it's taken a long recovery as marrige broke down as well we have split completely then all the crap that followed he told everyone I was having affair left right and center, but am still standing through it all, I have had 2 echo scans and numbers come back 30% my heart hasn't repaired in anyway but as I say my bp and pulse have been really good, they have suggested I have icd implant sooner rather than later i have read up on it and seems straight forward procedure but I have lots of questions going through my head and anxious about it, has anyone else had one of these fitted , I have to ho off the island to have it done , please help wi advise
Thankyou
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Marmalade2
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There are others on here with an ICD so I’m sure they will be along shortly.
I hope some of those anxious feelings subside. I know that is very common feeling for us who suffer with heart conditions. Needless to say, you can vent on here when you want to be heard.
You have had some really nice responses of having an ICD fitted in and how it can improve your heart health. Hopefully, this will give you a chance to think about other people’s experiences with it and dissolve some of that anxiety you have been feeling about getting one.
Dear Marmalade2
Sorry to hear about your marriage breakdown and by your accounts it seemed very messy, these things can have a bad toll on our health with or without the underlining heart problems that you already have.
So you have been advised to have a Pacemaker fitted and a specialised one at that, the only thing you didn't say is why they have recommended you it.
The ICD { Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator } family are a little different to a normal Pacemaker in that it has a built in defibrillator which can act as your own paramedic should your heart need re-starting.
It also can be used as:-
Pacing – a series of low-voltage electrical impulses (paced beats) at a fast rate to try and correct the heart rhythm.
Cardioversion – one or more small electric shocks to try and restore the heart to a normal rhythm.
Defibrillation – one or more larger electric shocks to try and restore the heart to a normal rhythm.
The fitting seems straight forward but this is because of the skill set of the team fitting it, you will feel a bit like being on a conveyer belt, but believe me its more fascinating than frightening .
You will be guided at every point of the procedure and before you know it you will be enjoying a cup of tea like only the NHS can make.
Try not to worry, you have been though so much with your personal life and your health one, its time to think of yourself and how this incredible piece of machinery will help you move on with both.
Hi blue1958 thankyou my ef is at 30% So the numbers have gone down and the heart starts hasn't healed any I had anterior stemi to lad had stent fitted but even through bad year I have fought back from everything and feel really healthy, changed my diet stopped smoking and bp and pulse all stabkecand good so it was a bit of a shock.
You have done so much to help yourself especially going through your breakup as well, then its time to let them help you with the next stage,
I was fitted with one when my E/F was @ <20% so you have 10% up on me.
Take care
The BHF site has some good information on all types of pacemakers , also Pacemaker uk is a good site, but seems to mainly deal with clients that have already had one fitted.
Hi thanks for your advise and telling your experience I agree with you we all different and experience in different ways but any comments are gratefully appreciated thankyou ❤️
Hello
It seems you have been going through it and you are still standing so you are strong dealing with recovery as well as one of the most stressful times splitting up from your Husband which I am sorry to hear
I have not had this done but I have read when people have and it seems pretty smooth and successful even though feeling so well I can imagine the shock you must have felt been told this but if they say it needs doing then I know you are strong enough after everything you have been through to have this procedure which I hope others that have had it done when they see your post will reply to you
Love and hugs to you. They would not recommend the implant if they did not think it would be beneficial. My advice would be to take whatever you are offered.
I’m so sorry about you marriage breaking down. I also had a heart attack in Jan 22 which left me with a EF of 29% I was told in the March I’d need a ICD fitted. As the year went on taking all my Meds and doing Rehab and then going back to work I never heard anymore about the ICD until I’d had another Echo done in October then went back in to get my results in November but the appointment was for my ICD as I’ve had no improvement I’m still EF 29%. Doctor said I’d like the procedure done before Christmas or within 3 months. I had it fitted 4 weeks ago the procedure all went to plan no problems your awake for it all you feel is them tugging about placing the implant. You have to stay in bed for 4 hours after then they will take you for a X-ray to make sure the wires are in the right place and then have to wait another 2 hrs for them to say yes you can go home. I had only slight pain discomfort on the 1st night apart from that all has been good. Just take it easy and try not to do to much with your left arm for 6-8 weeks I have my referral 19th April so hoping they are happy for me to get back to work and start to douse my left arm for than just everyday things. So no need to worry for the procedure everything will be fine.
Thankyou for the comment the more I read from you guys the more it's helping me handle it it just has up set me that's all as I thought I was doing really well considering all I have had to put up with last year and it all stemmed down to being home for 2 days from spending 4 weeks in hospital after HA and me being scared I got marrige guidance threw in ma face and then it all went down hill but av fought back got rid of him and feel stronger in myself so I thought I was doing really well
your doing amazing I was told think of it like wearing a seat belt in the car you never intend of having a car accident but you still wear it just incase same as the ICD you’ve got one and it’s there as for if of when you need it we are very lucky to get another chance and I’ve taken it with open arms and embracing the fact I have something inside me that will help.
Just a thought…my EF was 30-35 after a widow maker HA in 2021 and has eventually risen to 35-40 with the use of specialised medications like Entresto, Dapagliflozin, Edoxaban etc rather than having an ICD fitted. Plus, I’ve felt fine during that time. Has the medication route been discussed with you as a first option/trial to see how you respond before being fitted with an ICD as a 2nd option? Good luck with whatever route you go down👍
Hey. I have an ICD fitted. I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy with an EF of 15%. Has my ICD fitted 6 months after diagnosis for a preventative measure. Procedure was straight forward, felt a bit of pressure, sore during recovery but was fine. No shocks but I've had a lot of pacing which I feel and can be annoying. I also have a home monitor which sends reports to the device team. I was scared about having one put it but very grateful I have it. Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way. Xx
Best thing I did after my HA was to the ICD fitted. My EF is only 31%. I had severe anxiety and diagnosed PTSD due to the severity of the HA. My anxiety reduced dramatically shortly after the implant and its reassuring that I have a built in back up should something happen. The op was almost painless throughout, ust a bit uncomfortable and I was awake throughout. It's 3 yrs almost since the implant and touchwood, no triggers and I walk over 10k a day and do a couple of 5k runs a week too. I would say, go for it.
I had a CRT-D fitted three years ago after a cardiac arrest and a diagnosis of severe heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, with an EF of 10%. Due to the device and correct medication I’m now up to 35% and feeling fitter than I have done since I was in my thirties (now 65).
I would have no hesitation whatsoever regarding having one of these devices fitted.
Take care and take this opportunity with both hands, and once it’s all over you’ll have the strength to get on and enjoy life all over again.
Thankyou to everybody for your comments and reassurance on this I really appreciate all uour comments and am surprised how many have had it done. I will keep you all posted and Thankyou again ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hello Marmalade I had a CRT-D (ICD) implanted 7 months ago after a sudden cardiac arrest. I previously had a triple by pass 8 years ago. When I woke up in A&E I kept saying I had tried so hard to look after my heart. After all the tests they explained I had done really well with looking after it. And explained by pass was plumbing and arrest was to do with wiring. So nothing I had not done. I know it’s frightening before it’s done and for some time after. But please don’t worry the op site will heal within a couple of weeks and you will learn that the device is there to help you and your heart and they wouldn’t give it to you if not felt necessary. Take heart, wear big girls pants and you will be ok x
My husband had one implanted last year and he hasn’t had a shock yet but it does offer us both a lot of reassurance. The procedure itself went well and he wasn’t in too much pain after however he experienced a few fainting episodes after the surgery and was dizzy for about a week. We hadn’t been made aware this could happen, which makes me think it might not be very common. I would book some time off work after your surgery and arrange for someone to look after you just incase you’re like my husband. Other than that he’s recovered really well and the ICD doesn’t bother him very much on a day to day basis! I would say go for it if the consultant advises - they are expensive machines so they’d only suggest if it’s really needed 😊
I had a HA in September 2021 and on follow ups during the months that followed my EF went up to 41% and then down to 33%; this was when they recommended I have an ICD implanted. To be honest, I was terrified at the prospect of this idea but went with the experts. Some 8 months after the initial discussion I was in the day care unit at my local hospital. I live in a rural area and the cardio guys explained to me that whilst the ICD won't improve my quality of life, given where I live, it would deliver life-saving therapy way quicker than an ambulance could possibly reach me.
The procedure was a breeze. They were half way through doing it before I even realised they had started; the drugs were that good
Anyway, 2.5 months later and whilst I can feel its presence through my skin, as to be expected, that is the only indication that it is there. I have a home unit that it speaks to every night when I'm in bed and I have 2 appointments per year where it will send more comprehensive information to the hospital without the need for me to actually go anywhere.
I had nothing to worry about. And while it's easy enough for me to say, you too have nothing to worry about. They wouldn't recommend it if they didn't feel it would be good for you.
You can do this! It's really nowhere near as bad as I was expecting and I'm a massive coward
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