I had an ICD implant on 7/19. VT which caused 3 syncope incidents. I am wondering whether anyone has been Defibrillated by their ICD while standing and whether that shock can be handled without falling down or not? Also any pre-warning of the pending "therapy"? My ICD is a Boston Scientific Teligen. and This is what the EP implant report says: FastVT: Detection Int (ms) 343 Rate(BPM) 175.
Does that mean that if my heart rate goes to 175 or greater that I will be "zapped"?
I'm very grateful that I have the ICD and not overly concerned, just kind of curious as to whether I could remain standing, should I get shocked out in public? I was shocked during the EP lying down and while significant, I think I could handle it standing? Anyone have any actual experiences?? Thanks.

 

 

Think you might find that you will be out for the count for a few seconds during which time you will be on the floor. I have a defib with a VF problem caused by Long QT. From my experience you will feel 'odd' for a couple of seconds before a shock is about to be delivered so my advice to you would be to sit down asap. I know when a shock is about to happen as it is triggered by my heart misbehaving! Everyone is different I'm sure but this is my experience. Hope it helps.

Take care
Katielou

 

I have been shocked 2 times standing up. Once when I hit around 240-245 bpm, got popped, finished working out.

I was working on my house last time, didn't drink or eat for hours, went into hypoglycemia, started shaking, heart rate shot up, got shocked, dropped the sheet rock I was holding, got something to eat, no problem.

It all seems to depend on how well your body handles getting a little low on the old BP. I have never passed out while in VT, even when I hit 285 bpm, was still standing, felt a little dizzy, but not bad.

 

I have been shocked twice, once standing up. I felt a littlt weird a few seconds before it happend, but i was able to walk about 20ft to the living room and sit down. The shock was powerful, like being hit by a jack hammer, but there was no residual pain. It just learning to cope with it mentally that challenging. This is my second device (implanted 2010), I was shocked about 10 days after implantation. The first device (implanted 2000) really improved my quality of life.