Confused.

I have had a PM/ICD for 4 years and been shocked by the ICD twice in that time and when it shocks it's like being kicked in the chest by a horse. I am confused when I read that some members are 'shocked' by their PM's or know when they 'fire'. My question is, do PM's shock as ICD's do? Mine doesn't, it's the ICD that brings my heart back to life when I go into VF, so are there different types of PM? My understanding is that the PM detects a strange rhythm and then paces the heart to settle it down again?

Would be greatful if someone could explain to me.

Many thanks,

Lesley

2 Comments

Often Confusing

by joy1 - 2008-09-02 04:09:26

Hi Lesley,

ICDs and PMs are different. ICDs have a pacer component to them. ICD pacing is for a slow heart rate and the defib part of the ICD is for either shocking the heart back into rhythm or kicking it into beating if it stops.
Pacemakers on the other hand are meant for pacing only. People with a slow heart beat are paced to speed the beat up. help?

joy

pacemaker/defibrillators

by gamma - 2008-09-04 11:09:28

I have had in time frame of 7 yrs, I've had an ICD,2 CRT and currently have a heart failure pacemaker/defibrillator. There many types of PM with/without Defib. I'm 100% paced upper and lower chambers. When one of my CRT shocked me Its more like kicked by mule,they kicker harder then horses. Also had a CRT that couldn't tell an irregular heart beat from normal, had too many misfirings, I know the floor well, due to battery failing early. So far this one has paced me twice because of low potassium caused two separate V-Tachs.

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