Does the shock from an ICD hurt?
Most patients who have received shocks from their ICDs describe them as startling, jolting and unsettling, but not painful. It’s easy to understand why. The ICD delivers a shock to prevent a dangerously fast heart rhythm.
What does a shock from an ICD feel like?
You may feel a flutter, palpitations (like your heart is skipping a beat), or nothing at all. Fibrillation may require that you receive a “shock.” Most patients say that the shock feels like a sudden jolt or thump to the chest.
How many shocks can an ICD give?
Sometimes, more than one shock is needed. An ICD is usually programmed to give a maximum of five to eight shocks for any one event. This picture shows the heart rhythm of a person with ventricular fibrillation. The ICD delivers an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Can you shock someone with an ICD?
If a defibrillator is available, it should be used immediately. It analyses the heart rhythm through externally placed pads, and if it detects that the heart has been restored to a normal rhythm by an ICD, it won’t deliver a shock. The ICDs won’t be damaged by the defibrillator.
What do I do if my ICD shocks me?
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you feel bad or have symptoms like chest pain. Call your doctor soon if you feel fine right away after the shock. Your doctor may want to talk about the shock and schedule a follow-up visit.
Do ICD shocks damage the heart?
A recent prospective, randomized, multicentre trial confirmed that the ICD shock itself, and not ventricular fibrillation (VF), seems to cause myocardial micro-damage, as evaluated by high-sensitivity troponin assessment.
How strong is a defibrillator shock?
A defibrillator uses moderately high voltage (between 200 and 1,000 volts) to shock the heart, which essentially resets the SA node and forces it to resume its normal electrical activity. The voltage delivered to the patient depends on the presence of a heartbeat and how strong, fast, or slow it is.
What to avoid if you have an ICD?
Don’t dangle headphones round your neck or within 3cm (1in) of your ICD. Don’t put mobile or cordless phones, or MP3 players within 15cm (6in) of your ICD. Don’t wear magnetic fasteners near your ICD. Don’t use a TENS machine for pain relief, and keep electric-pulse body-toning tools below your stomach.
What should you not do with ICD?
What do I do if my defibrillator shocked me?
After one shock:
- Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you feel bad or have symptoms like chest pain.
- Call your doctor soon if you feel fine right away after the shock. Your doctor may want to talk about the shock and schedule a follow-up visit.
What is electric shock in the ICD?
Electric shock is a feature specific to ICD technology that provides patients with a unique, aversive stimulus that may challenge psychosocial adjustment. Shock seems to be the most distressing aspect of the ICD, notable for its deleterious effects on quality of life, and for depression, and anxiety.
Does an ICD shock hurt?
For more-serious heart rhythm problems, the ICD may deliver a higher energy shock. This shock can be painful, possibly making you feel as if you’ve been kicked in the chest. The pain usually lasts only a second, and there shouldn’t be discomfort after the shock ends. Usually, only one shock is needed to restore a normal heartbeat.
Is device-specific anxiety associated with ICD shock in ICD patients?
A closer examination of anxiety in ICD patients further clarifies the need for a conceptualization of device-specific anxiety that is distinctly related to ICD shock, as opposed to more generalized or trait anxiety.
What is the prognosis of ICD shock?
Among heart failure patients, ICD shock is associated with a 2- to 5-fold increase in mortality, generally due to progressive heart failure. Conditions, such as COPD, dehydration, anemia, infection, and electrolyte imbalances may trigger ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia.