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ICD now or later.
Again, I have just begun learning about my condition, so advice, constructive or otherwise is welcomed. Last years physical showed me as healthy, other than needing to lose a few pounds. These past few months all the tests have come back great no cancer/diabetes/blockages etc.. I am truly blessed in some ways.
Dr says my low Ef is the reason I am to get the ICD.
Dr. Says it will not come up much more if at all maybe 1 or 2%.
I know everyone is different but From what I have been reading online and talking to people at the cardiac rehab. I see stories of EF improving. Dr says standard wait procedure is 3 months.
From what I have been told it used to be 9 months.
Do I get the ICD now or wait?
I don't have a problem getting it, but question putting the cart before the horse so to speak.
I will probably get a 2nd opinion but would like to know every else's thought's.
Thanks,
Joe
5 Comments
Reply
by JLK - 2015-10-04 04:10:11
Thanks for the comments.
My heart problem was a result of a virus, EF of 15%
Was placed in a life vest for the 3 month wait EF is now 20%. Scheduled for a ICD. At times when I stand up I get dizzay , Goes away and on I go.
That's funny you say that lurch. When I asked my cardio/EP doc to see one his words were oh you have seen a car battery and jumper cables before...
Not sure what your ef is
by Val-8 - 2015-10-04 04:10:28
Not sure what your ef is at the moment, but honestly no one can predict what your heart is gonna do. I was born with heart block and lived a normal life with my pacemaker. During my 3rd pregnancy I went into heart failure, and was dx with peripartum cardiomyopathy. My ef was 10, when up to 15, and hung out there for a bit. At 9m post dx I received a bi-v pacer with icd. My ef jumped to 24, almost over night. A few months later 30... Now 11 years later my ef is 49/50... So they can't predict what your heart is gonna do... You may not get any improvement but you may?! And the icd I still have. I have a love hate relationship with it. Like knowing it's there, even though I've never used it, but hate the short battery life.
Even with no heart improvement I'd still be happy I have the icd, you may never use it but better safe then dead!
ICD
by hopefulheart - 2015-10-05 03:10:16
Hi,
On my second ICD now.....compliments of a 2004 heart virus that left me with a deadly EF and prognosis. With an ICD and appropriate medications, from which I do not waiver, I am alive raising two grandchildren. The reason......our daughter did not even make it to the hospital for an ICD chance......sudden cardiac death at age 42. Please, do this for yourself, those you love and who love you.
Wishing you a happy life,
hopefulheart
ICD-OMT for at least 90days
by jvaltos - 2015-10-13 01:10:28
First off, not to distract you from this topic, I am not sure EVERYONE needs to see an EP. I know many EP docs and only a handful and are skilled and capable of handling heart rhythm issues better than a well trained invasive Cardiologist....I digress
The first thing you need to make sure of is that you are allowed a chance to recover with OMT (optimal medical therapy.) In this case, its a beta-blocker (preferably Coreg) and an ACEi/ARB like lisinopril. These medications need to be at maximal tolerable doses for several months before you are good candidate.
Please don't under estimate the power of a non-invasive approach to treatment. Of course, if you have a passing out spell (syncope) or runs of VT, then yes don't wait. But many people end up with defibs due to EPs/Card not waiting and failing to advance OMT.
Good luck and hope you get better
You know you're wired when...
Your favorite poem is Ode to a Cardiac Node.
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I feel so blessed to have this little gem implanted in me. When I think of the alternative it is quite overwhelming sometimes.
Left me ask you another question
by Lurch - 2015-10-03 08:10:40
Have you ever experienced a dead battery in your car? Did you have jumper cables? Did they save the day?
Think of the ICD as your own personal set of jumper cables to jump start your heart if it is needed.
I haven't had a dead battery in my car for probably three or four years, but I carry a set of jumper cables just in case....
While that is a very simplistic way of looking at the issue, it gives you another perspective.
Good luck in what ever decision you make. When my Cardiologist explained to me what low EF meant and could mean in the form of a SCD, I said, "sign me up!"