Next month I will meet with a cardiologist in a different hospital, 20 months after implantation of a Medtronic InSync Sentry ICD. I'm excited about finding out if I'm still at risk and how I'm doing. What questions should patients ask in order to find out how they are doing? Should I ask about specific cardiac geometry issues and echocardiogram interpretation or should I not say much and just hope that they will tell me what they think I should know and I should just concentrate on writing it down?
I would certainly compile a list of questions for your doctor so that you don't forget to ask something while you are in the office. However, your doctor will probably ask you several questions about your general health, your medical history, any new symptoms you may be experiencing, what your activity level has been like, and what medicines you are taking, for example. Periodic echocardiograms are helpful to evaluate the status of your heart muscle function, but often times, how you have been feeling is an important indicator of how you are doing. You should be sure to bring all your relevant medical records to the visit, including the results of any prior testing and a complete list of your medications.
I have had my ICD for 3 months. I am very active so I have many lifestyle questions. I have two major rafting trips planned, one in Alaska this July and the Grand Canyon in Sept. I plan to row all 300+ miles of the Grand myself. The boat will be heavy and be in big water. My question is can ICD leads hold up to thousands of hard oar strokes everyday for 25 days? Both of these trips are in very isolated areas how risky will it be with an ICD? Rafting also involves lots of heavy lifting of gear and large food coolers, am I limited to how much I can lift and carry? We have 3 acres around our house that I maintain this involves using several gasoline tools such as a chainsaw, a backpack leaf blower and weedeater. Is it safe to use these or will the ICD discharge? I am an expert downhill skier and ski hard and fast do I now have to use more caution with the ICD? Can I still hike with my skis at 13,000 feet? I enjoy vintage racing an old 356, is there any problems in doing this? Tuning a running engine? Thanks for your answers, I have not yet seen my doctor after the implant.
Sounds like you have a very active lifestyle and have several questions about the "dos and don'ts" with your device. Unfortunately, we are not able to discuss or make any recommendations regarding personal situations in this forum. However, before you embark on any of the activities you have outlined, I would suggest you discuss your concerns with your implanting physician regarding what activities he/she thinks you can safely undertake with your ICD; particularly as he/she is most familiar with your clinical situation.
Is it okay if I wear a pedometer? And if so, is any pedometer okay? Thank you.
There is no issue wearing a pedometer if you have an ICD. A pedometer is a non-electrical device which uses a pendulum to count footsteps. There is no electrical contact with the skin and it will not affect pacemaker nor ICD operation.
(Source: Medtronic Tachy Technical Services 4/21/08)
I recently received a device and am curious to know what a shock feels like?
Unfortunately, a shock is not the most pleasant sensation. Many patients describe an ICD shock as having a “horse kick them in the chest” or “getting hit in the chest with a baseball bat” – meaning that the shock is of significant intensity. However, the shock is truly like a lightning flash and is over and done with before your brain has even registered what has happened. It is unlike “hitting your knee on the coffee table” where its hurts for several minutes. Though the shock is uncomfortable for a split second, there is no lingering discomfort afterward. The most important thing, though, it is that the shock most likely saved you from a potentially lethal heart rhythm abnormality. If you receive a shock, you should follow your clinic recommendations for follow-up.
Will I need to go to the Emergency Room if I get a shock?
In most instances a call to your device physician or nurse is all that is needed. They can recommend a plan of care for you. In an emergency situation, or if you feel poorly after receiving a shock (chest pain/pressure, shortness of breath, ongoing palpitations), you should call 911 and report to your local emergency room. It is important to have an “action plan” in place so that you and your family/friends/co-workers know what to do and whom to call if you ever receive a shock.
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