ICD

I am about to turn 64 and found out that I have Afib.  This led to wearing a heart monitor for a week which led to some Vtac rythyhms showing up.  The Vtac rythyhms are associated with apical hypertropic cadiomyopathy.  This led to an EP Study that showed I was at a low risk of Vtac but not "No" risk.  My cardiologist says that I am in the gray area between him being able to say either I don't need an ICD or that I definitely do need an ICD.  He says it is up to me but he did say that if he were my age with my condition that he would get the ICD.  Obviously the risk even though it is low, is the chance of cardiac arrest and the ICD takes care of that but affects my athletics.  So far the Vtac rythyhms that were found on the monitor and were induced during the EP Study were only 5-6 seconds in duration but I have no way of knowing if or when the short duration might become long enough to cause serious problems.  Anyone out there have a similar situation to mine and/or any experiences with participation in sports such as softball, tennis, racketball, surfing, etc once you have an ICD implanted?

5 Comments

Choices

by Loonylil - 2017-02-07 05:25:47

Agree completely with previous comment, my situation sounds similar, I too have afib and tried chemical treatment but the drugs affected the thyroid so in the end I went with the cardiologist and had a pacemaker. I don't do the kind of sports you mentioned but walk a lot and grow vegetables which mean lots of bending! I am 67 and now also take warfarin to stop blood clots. Was that offered to you? My best to you ❤

Gambling

by Artist - 2017-02-07 09:29:55

You say there is some risk of cardiac arrest and your doctor recommends that you have an ICD.  So are you saying you want to risk dying and would ignore the advice of your doctor to get an ICD?  Personally I would find some relief in knowing that an ICD could save my life.  Living without one sounds like Russian roulette and it would bother me to live with that stress and uncertainty.  Many people in the PM club have ICDS and that does not stop them from enjoying a full life.  Now sudden cardiac arrest is another situation.  Take your doctor's advice!

funny...

by Cabg Patch - 2017-02-07 11:03:38

isn't it funny how perfect (or maybe not perfect) strangers think they know what's best for you...geez.

Look I've had an ICD for 10 years, in fact I've had 3 in that time. This is not something to be taken lightly or jump into without first doing your homework and then deciding what is best for you. Not someone who thinks they know, you!

I would strongly recommend you go to some reputable medical sites such as Web Md, Mayo clinic etc and read all you can. Might even want to go to some ICD manufacturer's sites and read. Additionally find someone locally who has an ICD and sit down in person and talk. Don't just listen to a strangers personal opinion.

This ain't no picnic and can have some real risks associated getting a device so make sure you know and understand the ins and out before deciding what is best for you. I spent 4,5 months wearing a vacuum pump, an infusion pump and a life vest with daily visits to the hospital due to one implant gone bad so don't just jump in.

Good luck whatever you decide.

a thought

by belsheart - 2017-03-08 02:17:21

I first got an ICD due to V-fib.  I didn't have a choice.  I can see where it would be hard to have to make a decision.  My perspective is that you already have one heart rythmn issue (A-fib) and now you have at least some V-tach.  With both of those risk factors, I think I would go with getting the ICD.  You sure don't want V-tach to lead to V-fib.  It's hard to survive that one.

Good luck with your decision

ICD

by Salt - 2017-03-18 08:09:05

You have probably sorted this out by now, but just chiming in with my two cents :) My family has an genetic mutation that causes all kinds of rhythm problems. It was relatively benign in my mother's generation, but in my generation, we lost two cousins in rapid succession to sudden cardiac arrest. As part of a family study, it was recommended that all who have the mutation get ICDs. I had only had a pacemaker for 4 months when they swapped it out for an ICD. That was 4 years ago. One of my brothers went into cardiac arrest 5 times during an episode, and the ICD fired and clearly saved his life. So, to me, it is definitely worth having. My heart issues interfere with my running (I also have mitral valve issues), but I am always thankful that I'm still around to actually try to run (I'm almost 61, and have also been through a lot of cancer treatment). The advice from this stranger is--just do it :) Good luck!

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