Defibrillators 101 - The Basics Of An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

Learn about the basics of how an implanted defibrillator works. In this video I explain what a defibrillator (ICD) is and how they work.
*****Please note: I am not a medical professional giving medical advice. For more information please consult with your health care professional team.

[@claudiograssi1037]

I have received one ICD, almost four years ago. My life is absolutely normal with this new "friend".

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Thank you, I had a shock recently after having my ICD fitted 14 years ago. Saved me, still here and well, awesome!

[@johnkoksha8263]

Thank you Doug !! I’m scheduled for an ICD at the end of the month because I survived sudden cardiac death. Your videos make me feel better about getting this procedure. I’m really nervous about it. Thank you !!

[@DouglasRachac]

I’m glad to hear my video was helpful, John. Good luck on your implant. The knowledge that you will be protected from a sudden cardiac arrest will be a pretty nice Christmas gift for both you and your family. Thanks for watching, and take care.

[@chewbaccabustillos2551]

I’ve been watching tour videos since they told me i would be getting an ICD as well as support groups.. anxiety is extremely high but watching your videos have given me a better understand as well as relieved a LOT of my hesitation and fear. Thank you!!

[@Bajablasted0]

You deserve more credit than you gave yourself at the beginning of the video!As a resident physician I thought your explanation was perfect- it accurately explained how an ICD works using clear and basic language (a very difficult yet important skill that medical professionals continuously try to improve on)

[@hummingbird2254]

My dad had one of those devices, but I never understood why he had it. He passed away in 2009. He'd had a triple bypass when he was 50, but never got one of those devices until years later. His name was Douglas too. Thanks for the explanation.

[@marygruber-xv2hs]

Understood what you said!!! Thank you -- I'm getting one next week.

[@jeffreylevyhe-him1959]

Perfect timing! I've had mild HCM for about 10 years without restrictions, but now we're talking about considering a prophylactic ICD to reduce worry and allow me to do things like hike into the backcountry. This is a great intro I can share with my family. Now on to view your other videos. :)

[@DouglasRachac]

Jeffrey -Thanks for the comment! My ICD is there “just in case” too. I highly recommend doing it just for your piece of mind. Life with an ICD isn’t bad at all! Good luck to you, and thanks for watching!

[@timmulrenan8464]

Really good, short, discussion of ICDs. Thanks Doug. My cardiologist is lining me up for one because I have atrial fibrillation as well as have had a couple of heart attacks. O well, we do what we have to do to keep moving.

[@HEARTInitiative]

Hi Doug. What great videos! Thank you for sharing your expertise on this topic. I have an ICD (for 10 years now) and have had the good fortune of being successfully shocked out of VT. I used to wonder and worry about what it would feel like to be shocked (and where this reference people use about being kicked by a horse came from. How many people do you know who have been kicked by a horse and can tell us what it feels like?). When I finally was shocked I found it, well, shocking but not particularly painful. For me it felt as someone hauled off and hit me with the palm of their hand on my chest - a hard thud for sure but not what I would describe as a painful event. If I was shocked repeatedly and my body was tensed up, I can see how that might be painful but since I was not expecting the shock my body was actually pretty relaxed and that may have impacted the sensation. As soon as I realized what was happening I focused on my breath and on keeping my body and mind as relaxed as possible so that I wouldn't have an anxious response that might contribute to more shocks (my VT's can be triggered by catecholamines, so this relaxed response is a critical step for me). I also immediately thought of my device as a blessing "it did exactly what it was designed to do and did so brilliantly" and that helped me keep my head in a good place. All those things together helped me navigate being shocked with minimal struggle, and return to my life with relative ease. Hope this strategy is helpful to others. Thanks for all you are doing. Keep us the great work!

[@cksajeevkumar]

Thanks for the info. I had my ICD implanted last month, could you please tell me what are the precautions that I need to take so as to be more safer?

[@joeglaze2174]

I had over 40 shocks in a row I am in heart failure heart just pumping at 25% it was such a nightmare after the shocks they really done a number to my cabbage surgery 2 months before the shocks I can't hold on to my glass of water I shake so bad Now before the 40 shocks I was shocked 7 different times with in 4 months of the 40 shocks please help me I can't get my dr to understand that my ICD needs to be updated

[@stacysanders6130]

Thank you for posting, I am still new to my ICD had it for a year after a sudden Cardiac Arrest . Still get worked up over the little stuff

[@AndyfromDoncaster]

Hi there. Great video. I'm having one fitted next week. Thanks for the upload.

[@enderman6231]

Thanks for the video. One question, you say the icd is looking for a "fast heart rate" but isn't it, rather, looking for an "irregular" heart rythym? This is how my physiologist explained it to me, at least. Thanks again.

[@cksajeevkumar]

Thanks Doug, thanks for the info.

[@easyitalianlessonsinurdu1072]

Thank you

[@xeveniahdarkwind178]

I just got my 3rd defibrillator.. first was June 14th 2005 single lead and 2nd device a dual chamber 2 leat January 20th2010.. My 3rd is a CRT-D October 21st 2020 hopefully this glorified pacemaker defibrillator 3 lead device will resynch my heart function to improve and get rid of my edema... the general anesthesia was the best 2 hours of sleep and sore from the defibrillator pulse generator test but its due to left bundle branch block..

[@OperationTubeYou]

Hey, Hope you are doing better now! Would love to hear an update

[@traceysmith1967]

Thanks

[@traceysmith1967]

Mine was at 35 so percent so I had to get one too

[@DeviantMotives]

Fortunately I was unconscious the three times I got my shocks. But my chest was sore for a couple of days after each incident

[@bftime1]

So helpful and again a great video!

[@dablondboi]

Thank you so much Doug you're absolutely awesome man! So glad I've found you as you make it feel like it's actually not the end of the world...I appreciate you man

[@DouglasRachac]

Thanks so much for the kind comments. I hope the videos have been helpful. And thanks for watching!

[@johnlenz282]

Thank you Good job

[@jacksellars6497]

I was at work and felt light headed and passed out and my manager found me unresponsive on the ground and called 911 I was transported to the hospital by ambulance I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and had a ICD put in

[@tabreznagaralli]

best icd among below medtronic crome or boston inogen

[@skillfullymade81]

I’m scheduled for installation at the end of the month. It’s Bc my EF is under 35 after open heart surgery in March for removing a huge blood clot in my left ventricle. I’m so scared.

[@DouglasRachac]

Hi Melika, You have nothing to worry about. The procedure itself is simple and quick, and the device will help your heart beat more efficiently while protecting you from a cardiac arrest. Just give yourself time to heal (generally 6-8 weeks) and then get back to doing what you love doing. Best of luck!

[@M1k3y456]

My Cardiologist says I have to get one. My ejection Fraction is too low. I'm 39 , I haven't had a heart attack. I'm kinda on the fence. Any advice?

[@DouglasRachac]

Hi Mikey, thanks for watching. I was 40 when I got my first ICD, and hadn’t had a heart attack or cardiac arrest either. So, like you, I was on the fence as well. First of all, if your cardiologist is recommending and ICD, it’s a good bet that you need one. People who have an EF that has dropped below 35% are indicated for an ICD even if they haven’t had a cardiac arrest or heart attack. If you’re in that range it’s a good idea to have the implant done “just in case”. Another thing to consider is if you have a family. The final argument my doc made to me was “You’re young, married and you have two young boys. Why would you wait?” An ICD is a safety net, and the pacing function of the device might help improve your EF.

[@xoxobabyxodollxoxo]

I'm wearing a defibrillator vest right now, and I'm 3 months get a implanted one. Have you decided to get one yet?

[@krichardson6533]

What was your recovery time after implant? I was reading that you cant move your arm for a couple of days and cant drive yourself for a couple of months.

[@wbgarfield]

DOUGLAS, QUESTION: I would love to know your opinion about an S-ICD Defibrillators, who's better a TV-ICD or an S-ICD????

[@DouglasRachac]

Hi Wayne, thanks for watching and for the question. For me I looked first at which product was right for me. Then I looked at their track record, and finally considered comfort and how it would look. The SICD was an option for me as I don't require pacing, but the SICD had only been on the market for a few years verses decades of use with the traditional ICDs. Also, I'm a fairly athletic person, and when I held the device in my hands back then (in 2014), I just didn't think it would be comfortable for me resting on my side especially when I was playing soccer or taking a spill while downhill skiing. Some people are concerned about having leads inside their heart. Personally, I was not concerned about that, but it is something to consider. There are a lot of different things to think about here. For me, the SICD was an option but I opted for a traditional ICD.

[@traceysmith1967]

@@DouglasRachac ok

[@calvinellis1891]

My mom had a defibrillator it Malfunction and kept shocker her until it was shut off with Magnet.

[@keifer4146]

Only thing is I am questioning what can & can’t I do? Because I am 27 with a defibrillator recently got on implanted in January 12th 2021. They didn’t tell me much beside the Defibrillator and other part of it. Wish all the doctors wouldn’t just rush people out the door like it’s not a problem and make some worry like it’s nothing cus what I heard is that a friends grandfather has one and it kept going and going and he passed away I kinda don’t trust it now

[@DouglasRachac]

Keifer, trusting your device may take some time. Just remember it’s there to save your life when it’s needed most. Otherwise it should just be a part of your daily life like a smart phone. It shouldn’t limit you at all. As for education about your device, you’ve found my KZbin page. I hope the videos there are a good start. Thanks for watching.

[@keifer4146]

@@DouglasRachac only thing is I’m so lost on. How can you use a lawn mower at 6 feet away??

[@danishmansoori7429]

How patient gain weight after icd implant

[@charleskincannon8792]

I felt a shock but it was not like a horse kicking me. More like I was startled.

[@DouglasRachac]

I have heard a range of descriptions when it comes to shocks. Some people describe it as "being kicked in the chest by a horse", but others say it isn't like that at all. Its more startling than anything. Some say there is sometimes pain, but it's over in an instant and then there's no lingering pain. And others say the shock is like a bright flash of white in their vision. Everyone is different. :-)

[@ahmedahm1]

Do you have a video on CRT ?

[@DouglasRachac]

I do! You can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6HEmYSLhZmLlZI Thanks for watching!

[@DouglasRachac]

I do! You can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6HEmYSLhZmLlZI Thanks for watching!

[@anandramlochan9835]

I know of some1 who died because of that. It thinks the heart was beating fast, and it start delivering those shock impulse.

[@controllerbrain]

My 86 year old father got one of these installed today. I'm still freaking out over it. You can see a square box under his skin.

[@DouglasRachac]

It might take a little getting used to, but it’s there to protect him for many more years. It’s a good thing. I hope your father is recovering nicely.

[@controllerbrain]

@@DouglasRachac He's home and isn't even thinking about the fact there's a machine in him.

[@sabastainmasimo8859]

My mother is dying but no help

[@lynnkandola6220]

I don’t understand- you say You are not a doctor - so I wonder why you are giving advice/passing on knowledge if not so I’m curious what are your qualifications for doing this My husband has ICD so I don’t want to refer your info unless I know where info is coming from Thanks

[@DouglasRachac]

Hi Lynn, Thanks for watching, and that's a good question. I am certainly not a doctor, and I am not giving any medical advice. I am passing on knowledge that I have learned in my career in the med-tech industry, and as an ICD patient (implanted in 2014). I encourage you to read my info on my main KZbin here: kzbin.infoabout As I state in all of my videos I'm not a medical professional, I'm just some guy on the internet. My hope is that you can take some extra knowledge to your husband's next appointment to ask more in-depth questions and to give you and your husband a little more piece of mind. Best of luck!

[@lynnkandola6220]

@@DouglasRachac Thanks for clearing that up👍

[@shahnajparbin7543]

Average life expectancy of icd patient?

[@DouglasRachac]

It really depends on the person’s heart condition. There are people in their 90’s with ICDs. I know one person who has had 6 ICDs over the last 35 years, survived 8 cardiac arrests that would have killed her, and has survived two rounds with cancer. ICDs definitely increase a persons life expectancy when it comes to surviving cardiac arrest, so if a doctor is recommending an ICD it would probably be a good idea to get one.

[@shahnajparbin7543]

@@DouglasRachac thanks