ICD fitted the recovery starts

[Nic20v6]

Found myself in abit of a pickle in November had a resting hr of 256, quite day in work so left early went about my business as per got home and told swmbo to run me to the local a+e after being a quick sedation and defib in resus I was sent to the heart specialist hospital. Turns out a viral infection I had earlier in the year had left a scar on my left ventricle causing my electrical pathways to go manic after a electrical test I was told I would need a implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted in which time I also had a ablation. The biggest kicker was a 6month driving ban (I work in the motor trade so I've been signed off for several months) luckily my heart structure remains good which was put down to my fitness and age (31) the real scary thing is that my late father suffered a similar experience but unfortunately developed into dilated cardiomyapathy and we lost him four years later he also had a ICD fitted so I've some experience with that history I've had some bloods sent away for genetic testing. Anyone else on here with one fitted that could give any helpful advice with recovery would be great I'm due some cardiac rehabilitation but I'm still waiting to see if all the wires have settled correctly, Thanks.

[NDA]

I have one.... also had a bypass and 3 stents. I feel like Robocop!

I didn't notice any great difference having an ICD fitted - but I had never really been or felt ill. I forget I have it until it does its little midnight check routine which makes my heart flutter a bit. Also when I was moving some loudspeakers recently, I got too close to the magnets and it set the alarm off. An alarm in my chest! Very weird.

I think it's one of those things you forget about to be honest. It's there doing a job helping pace your heart and there as a defibrillator if something goes wrong. I have to remember not to go through the X Ray machines at airports too.

Sorry to read about your dad, I have dilated cardiomyopathy too. Just one of those things.

Feel free to PM if you have anything worrying you or have specific questions.

[pidsy]

Welcome to the club.

Had mine fitted November 28th last year - lots of detail in the “had a heart attack on Monday thread”.

Feel free to PM me if you want.

Some very helpful, kind and knowledgeable people on here. Helped me out a lot.

[Nic20v6]

Thanks for the responses I knew I couldn't be the only one with one, thanks both for the kind offers I shall fire some pm's over l, very much appreciated.

[pidsy]

Emailed you back.

[Brave Fart]

I suffered a virus six years ago which left me with dilated cardiomyopathy. Three years after that, my cardiologist recommended that they implant an ICD which they did in August 2020. I haven't had any problems with it and most of the time I forget it's there, but sometimes - when looking in the mirror while shaving, for example - I am reminded of it, due to the bump below my collarbone on my left side.

I did trigger an airport scanner last year, and it kept going off despite me virtually stripping naked. It was only when the airport guy said "Do you have a pacemaker or similar?" that I said "Oh, yeah, sorry, I do. Oops!" My mates waiting for me thought is was hilarious, of course, but I had genuinely forgotten the ICD was there.

They tell me to think of it as a failsafe, because my risk of a cardiac arrest is higher than average, and the ICD will keep me alive should that happen - it hasn't done yet, as far as I know. There is a small risk that it will go off unexpectedly, but again so far so good. Plus, it monitors my heart and intervenes if it detects irregular patterns, which is a little bit reassuring.

Hope that helps, OP.

[NDA]

Brave Fart said:

I suffered a virus six years ago which left me with dilated cardiomyopathy. Three years after that, my cardiologist recommended that they implant an ICD which they did in August 2020.

Almost an identical history as my own.... I had some other stuff done too.

It was frustrating that the cardiologists couldn't pin down the cause of the myopathy - the current thinking is that is's caused by either virus, alcoholism, inherited or possibly even connected to dental work (there are some bacteria in teeth that cause heart issues).

Who knows?

I'm just off for my first triple vodka.




(Kidding).

[OMITN]

Quick question for someone who probably has an ICD in their future….

I assume it means an end to cardiac MRIs? How do they monitor progression of myopathies?

Thanks and good luck to all of you with one..!

[pidsy]

I haven’t had to have another one as yet but the physiologists mentioned that if I did - one of the team would be on hand to turn my implant off for the duration.

One of the huge positives I’ve found since it was done is that the Team are on hand for any and every need.

[Panamax]

Bing ignorant, I had to google to find out what an ICD is; namely an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. Then I wondered how it differs from a pacemaker. If anyone else is interested, brief details below,

"While both devices work to help your heart beat better, these two devices are not exactly the same.

"A pacemaker has a computer that senses when your heart beats at the wrong speed or out of rhythm. When that happens, it sends out electrical pulses to keep your heart at a steady rhythm and rate. You might need a pacemaker if your heart beats too slowly or unevenly, you have an ablation procedure or you take certain heart medicines."

"Like a pacemaker an ICD contains a computer that tracks your heart rate and rhythm. You might need an ICD if the rhythm of your heart's lower chambers, called the ventricles, is dangerously abnormal. You might also need one if you've had a heart attack or cardiac arrest, which is when your heart stops working. An ICD could save your life if your abnormal heart rhythm becomes life-threatening."

Seems to me the main difference is the Defibrillator bit.

[Brave Fart]

NDA said:

Brave Fart said:

I suffered a virus six years ago which left me with dilated cardiomyopathy. Three years after that, my cardiologist recommended that they implant an ICD which they did in August 2020.

Almost an identical history as my own.... I had some other stuff done too.

It was frustrating that the cardiologists couldn't pin down the cause of the myopathy - the current thinking is that is's caused by either virus, alcoholism, inherited or possibly even connected to dental work (there are some bacteria in teeth that cause heart issues).

I was approaching my 55th birthday when I became ill with what felt, at the time, like a 'flu virus. Back then, I was playing 5 a side, had run a half marathon and was generally pretty fit. I've never smoked and there's no history of heart problems in my family. No dental work, bar the odd replacement filling, for years.

Funnily enough, I asked my cardiologist about alcohol consumption, since a do enjoy a few glasses of wine at the weekend. He was (and still is) very relaxed about it. "As long as you're not downing a bottle of vodka for breakfast, I wouldn't worry too much" he said.