Living with ICD support Group Canada

03/16/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15uGfraryV/

10/06/2024

One thing I was worried about with having my ICD was could I play golf. I found this in a chat room.

Interesting fact.

The wires put into your heart will either (the type that are put in) have scar tissue formed over them or will encapsulate them. This is what you want to happen before any jerking of arms or very strong movements. My ICD/Pacemaker is under my chest muscle as the amount of skin I had in area pacemaker needed to go was to thin.

You see I mentioned methods of putting in wires. One is they are screwed into muscle. The body forms scar tissue around them and seats them. The other is they are placed in place without being screwed in and the body will encapsulate them holding them in place. Of course the screwed in ones are the ones that have a stronger placement and ability to stay in place with movements and activities.

You can always contact the major ICD and Pacemaker companies along with EPs and cardiologists on the long term statistics of what you want to do and if statistically what has affected the wires. I have a Boston Scientific device, but many others out there that are just as good and help with questions about your product.

10/06/2024

I was diagnosed with having LBBB. Please read on. I do have underlying issues. Heart Disease due to numerous myocardial infarctions.

Left bundle branch block occurs when there’s a disruption to the electrical impulse that controls your heartbeat. A pacemaker or CRT can help control symptoms.

07/12/2024

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a type of cardiomyopathy caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. Typically, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy have a history of acute myocardial infarction, however, it may occur in patients with coronary artery disease, but without a past history of acute myocardial infarction. This cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death.The adjective ischemic means characteristic of, or accompanied by, ischemia — local anemia due to mechanical obstruction of the blood supply.

06/26/2024

Examples of problems with the heart. It may also simply be called heart disease. Examples include coronary artery disease, valve disease, arrhythmia, peripheral vascular disease, congenital heart defects, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. Whatever you are going through, sharing stories may be a good start if you don't know who to ask.
And if you think you are having a heart attack, never hesitate, or second guess, always call 9-1-1, it may just save your life.

06/26/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/SMgaJEnT7sbBpqsB/?mibextid=D5vuiz

06/14/2024

What Is Ventricular Tachycardia?

Ventricular tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia or irregular heart rhythm. Sometimes called VT or V-tach, an unusually fast heartbeat that starts in the lower part of your heart called the ventricles.

What is a normal heartbeat?

Your heart is a muscular pump with four chambers. The two upper ones are called the atria. The two lower ones are called the ventricles. They work together to pump blood throughout your body. Every day, a healthy heart beats about 100,000 times.

Most regular heart rates range from 60 to 100 beats a minute.

Your heartbeat follows a pattern that is controlled by electrical signals. They start in the sinoatrial (SA) node. It’s in one of your atria and is often called your heart’s natural pacemaker.

The signal causes your atria to contract so blood moves into your ventricles. It then moves down to another part of your heart called the atrioventricular (AV) node. This tells your ventricles to contract and move the blood along.

What happens in ventricular tachycardia?

When you have VT, abnormal electrical signals from your ventricles take over and make your heart beat quickly. The pulses coming from your SA node are also affected.

Ventricular tachycardia can result in rates of 120 to 170 beats a minute or even more.

When this happens, your heart’s upper chambers don’t have time to refill and send that blood to the ventricles. So your blood doesn’t get pumped throughout your body the way it should.

Ventricular tachycardia vs. ventricular fibrillation

In some instances, ventricular tachycardia can lead to ventricular fibrillation. Sometimes called V-fib or VF, this condition also causes a fast heart rate. But with VF, the heart muscle shakes instead of following a regular pattern. If left untreated, V-fib can prevent blood flow to the rest of your body. Your heart may stop within a few minutes.

Types of Ventricular Tachycardia
Here are some common terms used to describe ventricular tachycardia:

Monomorphic ventricular tachycardiaMonomorphic ventricular tachycardia describes how your heart rhythm looks more steady from beat to beat when your doctor checks the electrical activity with an electrocardiogram (EKG). “Mono” means each heartbeat “wave” looks the same on the machine. Around 70% of all VT episodes are of this kind.

06/14/2024

https://youtu.be/hxTxROuUj4g