Guest guest Posted March 3, 2001 Report Share Posted March 3, 2001 Hi! My mom received her ICD in Nov. 2000 after sudden cardiac arrest (and 50 yrs. of smoking). She lives alone (widowed) and right before she went down, she called her next door neighbor who is a doctor. It was midnight and he came right over and found her face down, not breathing. He started resuccitation and called 911. To this day, it freaks her out that she never remembers placing that call! A call that saved her life, it wasn't her time. Not to mention I'm eternally grateful to her neighbor. Anyway, my question is this. She's kept her appts. with the cardiologist and hasn't been zapped, however, they want her to get a 3 month check. From what I understand they make her heart go into cardiac arrest to see if the defib is working? I have to check her into the hospital for this. Isn't this awful dangerous? Is this a normal procedure? I'm petrified for her as her heart is only working on a ten percent ejection rate (she is 69 yrs. old). Those years of smoking abuse severly damaged her heart. Is it necessary to do this procedure, can't they tell if the ICD is working properly from the computer? The doctor who put it in says this is normal procedure. Would appreciate anyone's input. Thanks, her "nervous-wreck" daughter, Sheri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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