quality of life

I have an enlarged left ventrical and miss every third beat. I just came from my "electrician" and he said that an ICD will do nothing for quality of life, but save it in case of fibrillation. I don't know if the anxiety of waiting for a "mule's kick' is worth the "5%" chance of a heart attack. I am asymptomatic and in great shape (at 70 that won't last long if I have to recuperate for 12 weeks). We discussed the ICD but I failed to ask about the PM and its affect on quality of life. Won't it increase oxygen to my brain, etc. and help memory, light headedness, etc. not to mention ED ! ?

5 Comments

ICD

by lb151 - 2008-12-16 03:12:33

I also have an enlarged left ventricle. I had a bi-venticular icd implanted in April. The 4th of July I went into v-tack and it saved my life...so yes..it will save you from sudden cardiac death. If you are having the ventricular lead also,,yes,,it will truly improve your life. Everything you mentioned will be improved because it is pacing the defective chamber. Along with meds,mine is now pacing almost 93% of the time..call your EP and talk more about it. Chances are when you become ill enough for the ICD to fire,you will be to sick to care or even notice.
good luck
good luck

Quality vs Quantity

by joy1 - 2008-12-16 11:12:58

Hi beauchance,

Cabg Patch has it pretty right.

Personally, I got railroaded into getting an ICD. I didn't want it and I didn't really need it to stay alive, other than as a preventative (that 5%). After being resuscitated from sudden cardiac arrest, I became medically stable on medication. I have an EF of about 45%.

After people get an ICD they worry about what it's going to feel like to be shocked. If their lucky, they never find out. If they're not lucky they live in fear of it happening again. The quality of my life was not worth the presumed increased quantity to my life. It is an individual choice. Everyone has to make this type of choice, or they should before someone else makes it for them.

There is a link in the "links" tab to the left for a website called zappers, check it out. Everything you listed as hoping it would improve are not improved by an ICD. If you have a slow heart rate then Its pacing feature could help you. Talk to your doctor.

joy

ICD

by lb151 - 2008-12-17 07:12:12

LIke everyone has said,,every case is different. Mine has improved my quality and as well as quantity. The ventricular lead gives my damaged ventricle the extra squeeze to push the blood flow through my heart,, given the alternative,,i have found great peace of mind with my ICD.

Pacemaker vs ICD

by ElectricFrank - 2008-12-17 12:12:15

Your description of skipping every third beat sounds like it might be a job for a pacemaker. With the right model it should be able to fill in the missing beat.

The ICD function is only needed if there is a chance of ventricular fibrillation or arrest. It doesn't sound like you doctor is concerned about that.

The ICD is larger, more expensive, and adds a degree of complexity that you likely don't need.

Finally, there is the issue of how you feel about the situation. I know people who choose where they live just to be near an emergency room "just in case". On the other end of the spectrum I camp and hike alone in the desert at 78 and am comfortable with it. We are all different in this respect and need to honor it.

frank

thanks

by beauchance - 2008-12-31 07:12:33

Thanks for the support (and the precautions). I'm scheduled for Jan 16th. Happy new year !

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.