My Cousin Has An Implanted Defribrillator (ICD)
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203451)
Nashville, Tennessee
June 26, 2023 10:27am CST
Sharing an update on my cousin, who recently turned 59. She has a long list of health issues, including diabetes and heart disease. In April, she was discharged home (after a hospital stay due to blood clots in her heart) with a LifeVest that included a built-in defibrillator to shock her heart when needed.
Now that her blood clots have resolved with medication, the doctor decided to surgically implant a defibrillator. She had this overnight procedure done Friday and is home recuperating.
ICDs (Implantable cardioverter defibrillators) are similar to pacemakers, but pacemakers deliver only low-energy electrical shocks. ICDs have a generator connected to wires that detect your heart’s beats and deliver a shock when needed.
She will need the battery replaced every 5-7 years. This will be an outpatient procedure. Happy she now has this device that will probably save her life.
The photo was given to her on her discharge.
37 people like this
36 responses
@hillhjill (23664)
• United States
26 Jun
I really hope that this makes her feel better knowing that she has it.
4 people like this
@hillhjill (23664)
• United States
26 Jun
@CarolDM you're welcome, I know all to well about that stuff that has to do with your heart. I've learned a lot of different things in that area.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
26 Jun
@hillhjill I know you do. I hope you and PJ have a great week.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62505)
• United States
26 Jun
I had to look up the difference in a pacemaker and this device. The ICD is much higher tech. What a blessing that we have this kind of technology that can “sense” an irregular heart problem and works only when needed!!! Glad she’s recovering well.
4 people like this
@MommyOfEli2013 (82148)
• Rupert, Idaho
26 Jun
That sounds like a scary thing to go through, but that is good that she has this device now.
3 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
26 Jun
@MommyOfEli2013 She was asleep and it could save her life if her heart stops again.
2 people like this
@MommyOfEli2013 (82148)
• Rupert, Idaho
26 Jun
@CarolDM Well that is good about the not too bad.
That does sound very scary as well. All of the stuff to do with heart issues is scary!
3 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
26 Jun
She is still sore but is feeling less anxious knowing it is there. An ICD records and stores information about your heart rhythm and therapies delivered by the ICD for your doctor to review. She was also told to keep a journal of the dates and times of the shocks.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
26 Jun
It's amazing how medical technology is so advance that it could save one's lives these days. I remember I had an uncle in New Jersey who had a pacemaker. He had heart issues as well as diabetes.
A few year before he passed, he stayed here and I remember hubby driving him to a. dialysis center. When he returned to New Jersey, his health deteriorated pretty fast due to a lot of complications. Though he had lived half of his entire life in New Jersey and had a family there, his last wish was to be buried in the country where he was born.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
27 Jun
@CarolDM She meant well in donating her kidney. It's just too bad that now she's the one in a terrible state.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 Jun
@toniganzon She did indeed. A sad situation all the way around. Her friend passed about a year later.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
26 Jun
I am always amazed at modern technology. Always something new it seems. Her problems started after she donate d kidney to a friend a few years ago. Seems it is one thing after another. So sad when health issues start to take a toll.
I know all too well about those last wishes. 
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79989)
• United States
27 Jun
It's remarkable what they can do these days with technology. I'm sure your cousin is happy to have her ICD implanted and hopefully relax knowing that little device is guarding her heart.
2 people like this
@Fleura (29219)
• United Kingdom
26 Jun
We have a friend who has one of those, at least I think it's the same thing. He has a congenital heart problem and his Dad has the same issue which means his heart can just suddenly stop and if it does this will kick in. Not a nice experience but better than the alternative I guess! And he lives a normal life, working, travelling, practicing kung fu...
Hope your cousin is doing well.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (157402)
• United States
27 Jun
I'm so glad that she had this procedure. They wanted to implant a device for my husband's AFIB; but he didn't want it. Have a good rest of your day.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29068)
•
27 Jun
One of my aunts has a defibrillator implant. She is so thankful to have it, and is back out living her life again--in her 80's! I hope it works out for your cousin. I know she has gone through a lot of health issues, let's hope she can feel better and enjoy life a bit now.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29068)
•
27 Jun
@CarolDM
I truly do hope it helps her. Anymore, all most of us can really do is take one day at a time.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37969)
• Philippines
29 Jun
@CarolDM Indeed your healthcare system there is really good enough to afford those. In here although there exist healthcare insurance but they still could not really subsidize everything so when it comes to those kinds of technology only those that can afford can avail of it.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
27 Jun
Amazing what medicine can do today! I may live to be 100 to celebrate my 25th Leap Year birthday!!
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49141)
• United States
27 Jun
I’m glad that she is home and was able to get the device.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
2 Jul
She's really going through a lot right now. How wonderful though that the operation was an outpatient procedure. I hope this works for her and she lives a long life.
1 person likes this
@summerscent (335)
• Philippines
27 Jun
May she feel better and have an enjoyable life every day.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
28 Jun
@summerscent Take care of yourself.
1 person likes this
@summerscent (335)
• Philippines
28 Jun
@CarolDM Welcome! I have a heart issue too, I was diagnosed with SVT before.
1 person likes this
