Should i have an icd

I want to do everything I can to prevent a deadly heart rhythm. I'm not worried that the ICD might shock me. I would worry all the time that the ICD might shock me.

I don't mind having a device inside my body. I don't like the idea of having a device inside my body. I'm not worried about the small risks of surgery. I'm concerned that something could go wrong with the surgery.

I'm not concerned that the ICD or the leads could break. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts. True Sorry, that's not right. Not everyone with heart problems needs an ICD. False You're right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts.

True You're right. But the shock is a sign that a possibly deadly heart rhythm has been fixed. An ICD also can use painless pulses to fix a fast or slow heart rhythm. False Sorry, that's not right. An ICD also can use painless pulses to fix a fast or slow heart rate. True That's right. The ICD or the wires that attach to it could break.

If that happens, you might need surgery to fix the problem. You also will need surgery to replace the battery, which lasts 5 to 8 years. You also will need surgery to replace the battery. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action. I want to discuss the options with others.

I want to learn more about my options. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Which way you're leaning. How sure you are. Your comments. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood. Key concepts that may need review. Getting ready to act Patient choices. What matters to you.

Print Summary. Credits and References Credits. AVID Investigators A comparison of antiarrhythmic-drug therapy with implantable defibrillators in patients resuscitated from near-fatal ventricular arrhythmias. New England Journal of Medicine, 22 : — Al-Khatib SM, et al.

Circulation, published online October 30, DOI: Accessed November 6, Ezekowitz JA, et al. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators in primary and secondary prevention: A systematic review of randomized, controlled trials.

Annals of Internal Medicine, 6 : — Van Rees JB, et al. Implantation-related complications of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 58 10 : — Uhlig K, et al. Assessment on implantable defibrillators and the evidence for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Accessed December 5, Eckstein JE, et al. Necessity for surgical revision of defibrillator leads implanted long-term. Circulation, 21 : — Kleemann T, et al. Circulation, 19 : — Baddour LM, et al.

Update on cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections and their management. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 3 : — It may disrupt the function of your device if the correct preparation isn't made. Tell your doctor that you have a pacemaker or ICD before scheduling this procedure.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENs to treat certain pain conditions may interfere with your pacemaker or ICD. Tell your doctor if you are considering this therapy. Therapeutic radiation used for cancer treatments can damage the circuits in your device. The risk increases with increased radiation doses. Take precautions. Tell your doctor that you have a pacemaker or ICD before having radiation treatments.

It's recommended that you wear a medic alert bracelet or necklace if you have a device. Always talk with your doctor or device company if you have any questions about the use of equipment near your pacemaker or ICD. Once the device has been implanted, you should be able to do the same activities everyone else in your age group is doing.

Your activity is often only limited while the incision is healing. These limits will be for only 3 to 4 weeks, depending on your doctor's instructions. When you have a pacemaker or ICD, you may still be able do the following:. Drive your car or travel if cleared by your doctor. There are legal restrictions that may prevent you from driving for up to 6 months after an ICD has been implanted or if the device fires. The heart rhythms that provoke the therapy can cause loss of consciousness, which is dangerous if you are driving.

Commercial driver's licenses are restricted in people who have ICDs. When involved in a physical, recreational, or sporting activity, avoid getting a blow to the area over the device. A blow to the chest near the pacemaker or ICD can affect its functioning. If you do get a blow to that area, see your doctor. Always talk with your doctor if you feel ill after an activity, or when you have questions about starting a new activity. Although your device is built to last 8 to 10 years, have it checked regularly to ensure that it's working correctly.

Different doctors may have different schedules for checking devices. There are legal restrictions that may prevent you from driving for 6 months after an ICD has been implanted or if the device fires.

The heart rhythms that provoke the therapy can be cause loss of consciousness, which is dangerous if you are driving. Commercial driver's license are restricted in people who have ICDs.

When involved in a physical, recreational, or sporting activity, try not to get a blow to the area over the device. A blow to the chest near the pacemaker or ICD can affect its functioning. If you do get a blow to that area, see your doctor. Always consult your doctor if you feel ill after an activity, or when you have questions about beginning a new activity. Although your device is built to last 5 to 7 years, you should have it checked regularly to ensure that it is working properly.

Different doctors may have different schedules for checking devices. Many can be checked in the home using a remote monitoring system over a telephone or internet connection. The device manufacturer supplies the necessary equipment. Your doctor will recommend in-person device checks at specific intervals as well. Any device setting changes must be made in person, by a trained medical professional, using a device programmer. Battery life, lead wire condition, and various functions are checked by doing a device interrogation.

During an interrogation, the device is noninvasively connected to a device programmer using a special wand placed on the skin over the pacemaker or ICD. The data is transmitted from the device to the programmer and evaluated. Most in-home device interrogation systems use wireless technology to connect the device to special equipment that records the data and sends it to your doctor.

Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse rate periodically. Report any unusual symptoms or symptoms similar to those you had before the device insertion to your healthcare provider right away.

As the heart forces blood through the arteries, you feel the beats by firmly pressing on the arteries, which are located close to the surface of the skin at certain points of the body. The pulse can be found on the side of the lower neck, on the inside of the elbow, or at the wrist. Using the first and second fingertips, press firmly but gently on the arteries until you feel a pulse. Tell your other doctors, nurses, medical technicians, hospital staffs and dentists that you have an ICD.

Follow activity instructions Follow the restrictions on activity and any other recommendations from your healthcare professional. Allow about eight weeks for your ICD to settle firmly in place. During this time, avoid sudden, jerky or violent actions that will cause your arm to pull away from your body. Avoid causing pressure over the area of your chest where your ICD was put in.

Women may find it more comfortable to wear a small pad over the incision as protection from their bra strap. Car, train or airplane trips should pose no danger. However on rare occasions, ICDs have caused unnecessary shocks during long, high-altitude flights. You cannot drive commercially when you have an ICD. While you can probably drive about a week after your implantation surgery, your doctor will be the one to give you a green light.

If you received an ICD due to certain conditions — such as having had sudden cardiac arrest or fainting — your doctor may ask you to wait until several months after you last fainted before driving again. Fainting is a possibility even after implantation of an ICD. Be physically active every day. Do whatever you enjoy — take a short walk or just move your arms and legs to help your circulation.

Ask your healthcare professional about how and when to increase activity. Typically you should wait one month at least before lifting heavy items or doing any high-impact activity. Ask your physician about engaging in full-contact sports that could damage or dislodge your ICD or wires.