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How to Live With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
Edited byIllneedasaviour and 4 others
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery-powered device that many people have when they've survived a cardiac arrest and are at risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. ICDs are often compared to pacemakers, and in fact, most have one already built in. Learning to live with one includes understanding its purpose and ensuring that you heed a few simple precautions.
Edit Steps
- 1Understand how an ICD works and why you need it. People who survive cardiac arrests, have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia, and are at a high risk of sudden cardiac death are often candidates for an ICD implantation. Survivors of heart attacks may also get ICDs. An ICD measures your heart rhythm using leads attached to your heart. When it detects an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), it will provide therapy depending on what's happening:
- If your heart is beating too slowly, the ICD will use the built-in pacemaker to pace your heart to a normal rhythm.
- If you're suffering from ventricular tachycardia (V-tach/VT), your heart is beating too quickly. The ICD will deliver short, rapidly paced beats to override the heart's abnormal rhythm. If that doesn't work, it will cardiovert the heart by delivering small shocks to restore the rhythm.
- If you're suffering from ventricular fibrillation (V-fib/VF), the electrical activity becomes disorganized and the heart will start beating so fast that it will start quivering instead of pumping blood. The ICD will treat this by delivering a stronger electric shock to the heart.
- Before the procedure, make sure that you fully understand your condition and the reason why an ICD is needed. Ask your doctors, read pamphlets, or even talk to other patients who have ICDs.
- 2In the first few weeks after the surgery, avoid putting your arm on the side the device was inserted over your head. Do all such actions with your other hand.
- 3Be prepared for changes. Although your lifestyle will remain unchanged, there are a few considerations you'll have to make. For example, you may have to adjust your seat belt shoulder harness if the ICD was implanted in your upper chest. If you find an item of clothing creates pressure around your upper chest, you may have to stop wearing it. Adjust your lifestyle according to such things becoming apparent to you when going about your normal activities.
- 4Carry an ID card indicating you have an ICD. When you're having any procedure done, tell your doctor, dentist, or other health care professional about your ICD.
- Since it's made of metal, the ICD may set off metal detectors and other security devices found in airports and other places. Show your card to security personnel––keep it with your other travel documents for ease of retrieval.
- 5When possible, stay away from anything that may cause interference to your ICD. This consists of objects emitting radio waves or magnetic fields. Often, you will receive a booklet containing a list of electronics to watch out for. Some examples include:
- MRIs (strongly avoid), radio-transmitting towers and ham radios.
- Common household items such as cell phones, kitchen appliances, microwaves, hairdryers, and electric blankets are safe to use as long as they are 6 inches (15 cm) away from the device.
- 6Avoid rough sports that use constant body contact. Examples include football, wrestling, and boxing. Be alert and watch for any balls that could hit the implantation site. This may even include taking precautions as a spectator where there is a possibility that a ball could leave the field or pitch and end up in the audience area.
- 7Beware of driving, especially within the first few months of implantation. You could suddenly become unconscious or startled when a shock appears, causing you to lose control of your car.
- 8Respond calmly to shock experiences. A third to a half of ICD recipients experience an ICD shock in the first year of implantation.[1] Shocks are often described as painful kicks to the chest. Sometimes you'll become unconscious long enough that you feel the shock. If you get a shock, contact your cardiologist.
- Planning is vital for dealing with ICD shocks. Being aware that they're a possibility and knowing the difference between when you need to seek emergency help or to make a doctor's appointment is important for reassuring yourself about the effects of the shock. It is recommended that you discuss post-shock actions with your doctor or cardiologist and rehearse your response so that when it happens, it feels normal to respond in a certain way.
- Always have your ICD identification card and information with you or easily accessible, a list of your current medications and your doctor's contact details. This will reassure you and it can also help anyone else who needs to use the information to help you.
- Train your family and friends in what to do if you experience a shock. Explain to them what to look for when it happens and how they can help you. Having a supportive team with you can make an enormous difference to staying positive after the shock.
- Practice deep breathing and relaxing responses to help you to stay calm when shock occurs. Becoming hyper-aroused (such as panicking, shallow breathing, etc.) can escalate the impact unnecessarily. Some people recommended meditation as a daily action to help you stay mindful of your reactions to stressful situations.
- Seek help for psychological responses to ICD shock. It is normal to feel anxiety or depression, worry and fear with respect to an ICD shock. These psychological effects are often associated with the uncertainty of when a shock will appear or what the outcome of it might be (including fear of death). These fears will slowly decrease as you get more used to your ICD but it's important to get help through talking to people who can reassure you.
- Remember that an ICD is better than no ICD; if and when a shock occurs, it is at least reminding you that you have the best care keeping you healthy.
- 9Attend your regular appointments with your cardiologist. It is very important to get your ICD checked on a regular basis. Depending on your condition, checkups may range from every 4-6 months to a yearly appointment. These times are also good for asking your doctor questions or if you have concerns.
Edit Tips
- Immediately after the procedure, the implantation site will be covered in a sterile dressing. After a few days, they can be removed and you're able to feel the ICD under your skin.
- Make sure your family knows how to do CPR and call 9-1-1. In the event that you stay unconscious after receiving a shock, CPR may have to be done and EMTs may have to be called.
- There will be no harm to others if and when your defibrillator shocks. Often the device will shock more than once or the patient will be aware of an abnormal heart rhythm and expect it to shock. It is okay to hold the patient's hand to comfort them during this time.
Edit Warnings
- Your doctor will often prescribe antiarrhythmic medications to control your irregular heartbeat. Having an ICD does not replace those drugs and you should continue taking them.
- If you get an inappropriate shock, tell your cardiologist.
Edit Things You'll Need
- ICD identification card
- List of current medications (keep it up to date)
- Doctor's contact details, including out-of-hours
- Plan for shock response, both for you and for family/friends
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Article Info
Featured Article
Last edited:
May 5, 2012 by Imonte
Categories:
Featured Articles | Cardiovascular Health and Blood Pressure
