Tips To Live With Your Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

If you are living with an ICD (which can be scary), especially if you have made the decision quickly due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), you need to know that you aren’t alone or without support. According to research, ICDs can improve quality of life and extend life. By understanding more about the conditions that led to the implantation of the device, the device itself and what to expect from having it- you may live more confidently with an ICD.

The best way to handle out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies is by getting trained in the life-saving CPR procedure. The procedure comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper application can revive the life of a cardiac arrest victim. If you are on the lookout to sign up for a CPR course in Nashville, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee for acquiring training. Courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers are offered. Become certified at the end of the training classes after successfully passing a skills test and written exam. An AHA CPR certification comes with a validity of 2 years which means you will have to go for a CPR renewal Nashville program to extend the validity of your AHA provider card.

Tips to live with your ICD:

Take Medications- Take medications exactly as instructed as medications are part of your treatment plan that includes your ICD. Medications work with your device and help your ticker pump regularly. It is as important that you keep records of what medications you take and when. It is better that you learn more about arrhythmia medications in general.

Underlying Conditions- Keep in mind that an ICD doesn’t change the underlying condition that led to the implantation of it. The device is implanted to help prevent SCA whether due to heart failure (HF) or a genetic risk for SCA. Although using an ICD doesn’t reverse heart disease or alter a gene, but it does reduce your risk of cardiac arrest. Follow your doctor’s instructions for treating your underlying conditions.

Understand Your Device And All Instructions- Check your device regularly to find out how the wires are working, how the battery is doing, and how your condition and any external devices have affected the device’s performance. ICD batteries last 5 to 7 years. Your healthcare provider may check your device several times a year, and they use a special analyzer to detect the first warning that the batteries are running down, before you can detect any changes yourself. Your device is completely protected against contact with water so feel free to take baths and showers. It’s advisable to stay away from magnets and strong electrical fields, and inform airport or other screeners that you have an ICD.

Adhere To Activity Instructions- Follow the restrictions on activity and any other recommendations from your doctor. It takes around 8 weeks for your ICD to settle firmly in place so avoid sudden, jerky or violent actions during this time. Do not cause pressure over the area of your chest where your ICD was put in. You cannot drive commercially when you have the device. You can probably drive about a week after your implantation surgery, your doctor is the one to give you a green light. You need to be physically active everyday which can even include a short walk or simply moving your arms and legs to help your circulation. Ask your doctor about how and when to increase activity. You’ll most probably be able to perform all of you normal activities within a few days of surgery other than the heavy lifting and high-impact activities. Don’t overdo it though.

Don’t leave home without your ICD wallet ID card. For additional security and convenience, consider also getting an I.D. bracelet or necklace.

At CPR Nashville, either register for a course online or call on 615-397-9316 for the same.

Types And Symptoms Of Arrhythmias And AHA CPR Classes In Nashville

Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) means your heartbeat is irregular which doesn’t necessarily mean your ticker is beating too fast or too slow, it actually means that your ticker is out of its normal rhythm. It feels like your ticker skipped a beat, added a beat, is beating too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (called bradycardia). You may not notice anything as well since some “arrhythmias” are silent. Abnormal heart rhythms can be an emergency (they may be life-threatening), or they may be harmless. Call 911 if you feel something unusual happening with your heartbeat in order for doctors to find out the reason behind it and things that you need to know about it.

Arrhythmia Symptoms:

As we have mentioned, an arrhythmia can be “silent” which means you don’t notice any symptoms. A doctor to find an irregular heartbeat usually conducts a physical exam by taking an individual’s pulse or through an electrocardiogram (ECG). The symptoms- if you do have- may include palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats), pounding in the chest, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, weakness or fatigue, dizziness or feeling light-headed.

Causes:

You could have an arrhythmia even if your ticker is healthy or it could happen because of cardiovascular disease, changes in heart muscle, injury from a heart attack, healing process after heart surgery, the wrong balance of electrolytes in the blood.

If you are on the lookout for an American Heart Association CPR class Nashville, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee for your CPR training. Proper application of the CPR procedure (a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths) can revive the life of a cardiac arrest victim.

Types of Arrhythmias:

Premature atrial contractions- These are early extra beats that start in the atria- heart’s upper chambers. These do not require any treatment as they are usually harmless.

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) - This is one of the most common arrhythmias which we all occasionally feel- they are the skipped heartbeat. They can be associated with stress or too much caffeine or nicotine. But sometimes, they can be caused by cardiovascular disease or electrolyte imbalance. See a cardiologist if you have a lot of PVCs, or symptoms linked to them.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) - This is a common irregular heart rhythm that causes the upper chambers of the ticker to contract abnormally.

Atrial Flutter- This abnormal rhythm is usually more organized and regular than atrial fibrillation which happens most often in people with heart disease and in the first week after heart surgery. Atrial flutter may change to AFib.

Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach) - This rapid abnormal rhythm starts from the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). The ticker cannot fill up with enough blood because of beating too fast. This abnormal rhythm can be life-threatening particularly in people with heart disease.

Ventricular Fibrillation- VFib occurs when the heart’s lower chambers quiver and can’t contract or pump blood to the body. This is a medical emergency, it is the most common cause of cardiac arrest. It must be treated with CPR and defibrillation as soon as possible.

Training in how to operate an Automated External Defibrillator device for the process of defibrillation is imparted in the CPR class itself.

Long QT Syndrome- Potentially dangerous arrhythmias and sudden death can occur due to Long QT Syndrome that doctors treat with medications or devices called defibrillators.

Bradyarrhythmias- A disease in the heart’s electrical system may cause these slow heart rhythms. When this occurs, an individual may feel like they are going to pass out, or actually pass out. A pacemaker could be the treatment for this.

Sinus Node Dysfunction- This abnormal slow heart rhythm happens due to a problem with the ticker’s sinus node. Some people would need a pacemaker for this type of arrhythmia.

Heart Block- There’s a delay or a complete block of the electrical impulse as it travels from the sinus node of the heart to its lower chambers causing the ticker to beat irregularly and often, more slowly. You’d get a pacemaker in serious cases.

To sign up for a CPR course at CPR Nashville, either register online or call on 615-397-9316.