Defibrillator

[TrustingGod247]

Hello..So I am 44 years old..I have a weak heart with an ejection fraction of 20-25%..I have a Left Bunndle Branch Block and I had 1 bad bout of tacacardia where my heart rate went to 200 and stayed there..spent 2 days in hospital..I tried 2 of the Beta Blockers to help strengthen my heart but they didnt agree with me at all....Now my situation is that I now am told I need a Defibrillator...Just wondering if anyone has one and how it is for you..

[Malcky]

I guess if you are being told that you 'need' a defibrillator then it is thought you must

have a need for one. I had an ICD fitted after my most recent heart attack in February

2018. I was presenting with a VT of over 220 and was sent to Harefield Hospital to have

it fitted.

The procedure was done under local anaesthetic and sedation, and lasted about 1 hour

and the next day I was discharged to home. I have had it now for just over 6 months

and it took me a few weeks to get used to it being there, most of the time I am unaware

of it apart from having to return to the hospital pacing clinic for checkup every few months.

If it has been recommended then I would be 'brave' and have it done as soon as possible.

Good Luck with your decision and future health.

[TrustingGod247 in reply to Malcky]

Thank you so much for your reply..I shall see what the Dr. Says October 25th..

[TrustingGod247 in reply to Malcky]

How sore was you after having it implanted? And what can I expect a few weeks after getting it

[Malcky in reply to TrustingGod247]

Hi there,

I found it rather sore once I had come home, they place it on the left side and as I am

left handed I found it rather awkward trying not to use my left arm. I had quite a lot of

bruising which lasted a few weeks, It looked worse than it was. The soreness went

when I took Paracetamol so all in all I could put up with it. Being 71 at the time I found

it best to take it as easy as the cardiologist recommended. They gave me a monitor to

plug in by my bed, it is left on 24/7 and it relays back to the hospital just what is going

on with the ICD and your heart. Once you have plugged it in, you do not do anything to

the monitor unless told by your hospital.

The biggest issue was not being allowed to drive for 6 months.

You can get a good idea of the whole procedure by going on to Youtube and just clicking on Harefield ICD, they have done a series of short videos where you can

see how they fit the device. Most UK hospitals that treat cardiac patients use the same

or similar procedure.

[TrustingGod247 in reply to Malcky]

Ok..thank you so much