While the shock may be painful, it is over in an instant. This means your ICD or S-ICD device is monitoring and responding to dangerous heart rhythm irregularities. The sensation you feel may vary based on the therapy your device delivers:
Full Answer
Can external defibrillation damage my S-ICD or ICD?
Please tell your doctor anything you feel. You should not feel pain. If you do, tell your nurse right away. How long does the procedure last? The device implant procedure may last 2 to 4 hours. Monitors during the Procedure. Defibrillator/pacemaker/cardioverter: Attached to one sticky patch placed on the center of your back and one on your chest. This allows the doctor and nurse to …
Does a defibrillator shock hurt?
How Shock Therapy Feels. With both TV-ICDs and S-ICDs, people have reported a wide range of experiences as a result of receiving a shock, from a mild thump to a kick in the chest. While the shock may be painful, it is over in an instant.
Can you feel a defibrillator under the skin?
A patient can expect to experience pain when they get shocked by defibrillators. Previous patients have described this pain as a sudden jolt; it is not a slow process. In fact, if you have ever been kicked in the chest, you can expect a similar feeling.
What is a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD)?
If you choose to get an ICD, you have two options: subcutaneous (S-ICD) and transvenous (TV-ICD). The main difference between the two devices is where the lead – that’s the wire that will deliver the shock to your heart – is placed. With a TV-ICD, the lead is placed inside the heart. An S-ICD’s lead does not touch the heart; it is ...
Is defibrillator surgery painful?
Is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator painful?
What does ICD shock feel like?
How long does defibrillator pain last?
Is an ICD uncomfortable?
What does it feel like when an ICD fires?
What should you avoid with a defibrillator?
What is the life expectancy of someone with an ICD?
What is the life expectancy of a person with a defibrillator?
What are the side effects of having a defibrillator?
Does a defibrillator help a weak heart?
What causes defibrillator to go off?
Interpreting The Defibrillator's Shock
What do these findings mean? The majority of the time the defibrillators went off for the right reasons (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fib...
Who Needs An Implantable Defibrillator?
Implantable defibrillators are reserved for patients who have either already survived a cardiac arrest or are at high risk for a cardiac arrest. De...
What Is It Like to Live With A Defibrillator?
While these implanted devices generally don't cause much discomfort, patients can certainly feel them under the skin. If a person is wearing a swim...
Do you feel a kick in your chest after a shock?
As a result, many patients do not feel these high-energy shocks. Some say the sudden but brief sensation feels like a kick in the chest. This sensation will only last for a moment. While many find the shock reassuring, other patients may be upset for a short time after the shock is delivered.
Can shock therapy be noticeable?
While you won’t feel any noticeable sensations when your ICD or S-ICD is monitoring your heart, shock therapy for an arrhythmia may be very noticeable. It’s important to know what to expect in advance.
What to do if you are conscious but don't feel well after a shock?
If you feel fine after a shock and no more symptoms appear, it may not be necessary to seek medical help immediately. However, follow your doctor’s instructions for when to call his or her office.
Can you get help for an arrhythmia after shock?
If you feel fine after a shock and no more symptoms appear, it may not be necessary to seek medical help immediately. However, follow your doctor’s instructions for when to call his or her office. It’s possible that you could feel symptoms of an arrhythmia but not receive therapy. This depends on the programmed settings of your device.
Can you feel an arrhythmia but not receive therapy?
It’s possible that you could feel symptoms of an arrhythmia but not receive therapy. This depends on the programmed settings of your device. For example, an arrhythmia may cause symptoms, but it may not be fast enough for your device to deliver therapy.
How does shock therapy feel?
With both TV-ICDs and S-ICDs, people have reported a wide range of experiences as a result of receiving a shock, from a mild thump to a kick in the chest. While the shock may be painful, it is over in an instant. This means your ICD or S-ICD device is monitoring and responding to dangerous heart rhythm irregularities.
Can a high energy shock stop an arrhythmia?
If your arrhythmia is very irregular and fast, your device can deliver a high-energy shock to stop the arrhythmia and return your heart to its normal rhythm. Many patients faint or become unconscious shortly after a very fast VT or VF rhythm begins. As a result, many patients do not feel these high-energy shocks.
Do defibrillators help with sudden cardiac arrest?
Defibrillators are known to help patients who experience sudden cardiac arrest; this is not new news to anyone with a heart condition. It is a heart shocking device that has assisted countless patients on numerous occasions. However, are there any health side effects associated with these devices?
What is the purpose of implantable cardioverter defibrillator?
The implantable cardioverter defibrillator picks up a heart condition, called cardiac arrhythmias immediately and delivers an automatic small shock to restore a normal heartbeat.
What is an ICD shock?
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, ICD, shock is known to decrease the risk of death in patients and to elevate cardiac enzymes. Experts proved this fact by defibrillation testing of the heart. There are various studies that state that different types of heart shocks affect patients differently. The American Heart Association provides ...
What is considered an inappropriate ICD shock?
Ventricular arrhythmias. Supraventricular arrhythmias. Electromagnetic interference. Device malfunction, supraventricular arrhythmias, and electromagnetic interference are all considered an inappropriate ICD shock because they deliver a shock to patients who are not experiencing a life-threatening heart problem.
Why are supraventricular arrhythmias considered an inappropriate ICD shock?
Device malfunction, supraventricular arrhythmias, and electromagnetic interference are all considered an inappropriate ICD shock because they deliver a shock to patients who are not experiencing a life-threatening heart problem.
Why is electromagnetic interference considered an inappropriate ICD shock?
Device malfunction, supraventricular arrhythmias, and electromagnetic interference are all considered an inappropriate ICD shock because they deliver a shock to patients who are not experiencing a life-threatening heart problem.
Why is device malfunction considered an inappropriate ICD shock?
Device malfunction, supraventricular arrhythmias, and electromagnetic interference are all considered an inappropriate ICD shock because they deliver a shock to patients who are not experiencing a life-threatening heart problem.
How does an ICD work?
An ICD will monitor your heart rhythm. If it detects an abnormal life-threatening rhythm – called an arrhythmia – it will deliver a shock to restore your heart’s normal rhythm. Some patients say having an ICD is like having a paramedic with them at all times.
What are the options?
If you choose to get an ICD, you have two options: subcutaneous (S-ICD) and transvenous (TV-ICD). The main difference between the two devices is where the lead – that’s the wire that will deliver the shock to your heart – is placed. With a TV-ICD, the lead is placed inside the heart.
Will the ICD be visible?
For most people, there is a scar where the ICD is placed. There may also be a bump under your skin. How visible that bump is depends on your body type.
TV-ICD
Ryan is a transvenous ICD recipient since 2011 and had his TV-ICD replacement 7–8 months prior to this photo.
S-ICD
Todd is an EMBLEM™ S-ICD recipient since 2015 and had his first S-ICD replacement 6 weeks prior to this photo.
Hear from S-ICD System patients
Meet real S-ICD System patients as they share their stories and personal journeys.
Can a defibrillator deliver shock?
It should be noted here that defibrillators are designed to not deliver a shock for atrial fibrillation. But if the atrial fibrillation is fast enough it can “fool” the defibrillator, and a shock will be delivered.
Is shock a part of implantable defibrillator therapy?
Fortunately, the danger is not from the shock but rather from the underlying cardiac condition. At the end of the day, shocks, both appropriate and inappropriate ones, are just a part of implantable defibrillator therapy.
Do you need a defibrillator for atrial fibrillation?
Arrhythmias of the upper chamber of the heart, like atrial fibrillation, do not require an implantable defibrillator.
What happens when a defibrillator detects a cardiac arrest?
Defibrillators are little devices that monitor every heartbeat, and when a defibrillator detects that a patient has gone into cardiac arrest it will immediately deliver a life-saving shock. But these shocks can sometimes happen for the wrong reasons — and do at a surprisingly high rate.
Why did the majority of defibrillators go off?
What do these findings mean? The majority of the time the defibrillators went off for the right reasons ( ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation ). But 41 percent of the shocks were because a device was fooled by a non-life-threatening arrhythmia, or because of a device malfunction.
What is a Thinkstock defibrillator?
Defibrillators are little devices that monitor every heartbeat, and when a defibrillator detects that a patient has gone into cardiac arrest it will immediately deliver a life-saving shock. But these shocks can sometimes happen for the wrong reasons — and do at a surprisingly high rate.
Can an implantable cardioverter interfere with an ICD?
If you have an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, be aware of your surroundings and the devices that may interfere with its operation. Potentially disruptive devices include those with strong magnetic fields. The following devices can disrupt the ICD’s signaling and prevent it from working properly, sometimes without your knowledge. The longer you are exposed to the potentially interruptive device and the closer it is in proximity to your ICD, the more likely it will affect your ICD’s performance.
What is the role of ICDs in cardiac arrest?
Studies have shown ICDs to have a role in preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk patients who haven't had, but are at risk for, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Newer-generation ICDs may have a dual function which includes the ability to serve as a pacemaker.
Why are ICDs useful?
ICDs are useful in preventing sudden death in patients with known, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Studies have shown ICDs to have a role in preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk patients who haven't had, but are at risk for, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
What is an ICD?
An ICD is a battery-powered device placed under the skin that keeps track of your heart rate. Thin wires connect the ICD to your heart. If an abnormal heart rhythm is detected the device will deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat if your heart is beating chaotically and much too fast. ICDs have been very useful in preventing ...
Can an ICD be life threatening?
The American Heart Association recommends that before a patient is considered to be a candidate for an ICD, the arrhythmia in question must be life threatening and doctors have ruled out correctable causes of the arrhythmia, such as: Acute myocardial infarction ( heart attack)
Why do people not understand ICDs?
Because many people do not understand their underlying condition – such as heart failure or genetic predisposition for risk of sudden cardiac arrest – and because ICDs are used primarily to prevent sudden cardiac death, they in turn may not understand the benefits versus the limitations of having an ICD implanted.
How does an ICD work?
If your ICD has a pacemaker feature when your heartbeat is too slow, it works as a pacemaker and sends tiny electric signals to your heart. When your heartbeat is too fast or chaotic, it gives defibrillation shocks to stop the abnormal rhythm. It works 24 hours a day.
Can external defibrillation affect ICD?
Typically used in medical emergencies, this procedure uses external equipment to deliver an electrical shock to your heart to restore a rapid and irregular heart rate to a normal rhythm. External defibrillation can affect your ICD or S-ICD, but can still be performed if necessary.
Can you use external defibrillation to restore heart rate?
Typically used in medical emergencies, this procedure uses external equipment to deliver an electrical shock to your heart to restore a rapid and irregular heart rate to a normal rhythm. External defibrillation can affect your ICD or S-ICD, but can still be performed if necessary. Be sure to contact your physician as soon as possible if you receive external defibrillation to verify that your device is functioning properly.
Can dental implants hurt you?
The following medical and dental procedures can affect your implanted device and/or injure you. If you must have any of these procedures, be sure to talk with your heart doctor and the doctor performing the procedure about what can be done to protect you and your device.
What can affect S-ICD?
Procedures that Can Affect Your S-ICD or ICD. The following medical and dental procedures can affect your implanted device and/or injure you. If you must have any of these procedures, be sure to talk with your heart doctor and the doctor performing the procedure about what can be done to protect you and your device.
Can you have an MRI with Boston Scientific?
You may be able to have an MRI scan if you have a Boston Scientific ImageReady MR Conditional S-ICD System. Talk to your physician about the capabilities of your particular device and leads. If your system is not one of those eligible to be scanned or if the required conditions are not met, an MRI scan can severely damage your implanted device ...
Can an MRI be done on an implanted device?
If your system is not one of those eligible to be scanned or if the required conditions are not met, an MRI scan can severely damage your implanted device or injure you and should not be performed. Your doctor must always confirm that both you and your implanted device are eligible and ready for an MRI in order for you to undergo this procedure.
What is external defibrillation?
Typically used in medical emergencies, this procedure uses external equipment to deliver an electrical shock to your heart to restore a rapid and irregular heart rate to a normal rhythm. External defibrillation can affect your ICD or S-ICD, but can still be performed if necessary. Be sure to contact your physician as soon ...
Danielle's New Beginning
"I'm just very thankful and fortunate that there's a technology out there and that it gives me a sense of security...just living a normal life." - Danielle Tepper
Lindsay Speaks Up
"After I had the device implanted, I felt all the time that I had a little emergency room in my chest." - Lindsay Davis
Todd Can't Be Stopped
"As my kids like to say, I’m bionic now. My life really hasn’t changed. I can still do all of the things I’ve enjoyed doing." - Todd Letourneau
Find a doctor
Find an electrophysiologist in your area trained and experienced in the cutting-edge EMBLEM MRI S-ICD technology.
Does a defibrillator shock hurt?
Answer: A defibrillator shock, if you're wide awake, will indeed hurt. The description is that it's like being kicked by a mule in the chest. It's a sudden jolt. Now, most of the time when a defibrillator shock occurs in an appropriate session, whether it's an external shock through an AED or an internal shock through an implantable cardioverter ...
Can you remember a shock from a defibrillator?
Now, most of the time when a defibrillator shock occurs in an appropriate session, whether it's an external shock through an AED or an internal shock through an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or ICD, if the patient is already unconscious, they won't ever feel or remember the shock.