How long can a person live with a defibrillator?

Defibrillators include defibrillators with defibrillation function only, AED defibrillator for first-aid and defibrillator monitor. Defibrillator monitor is a monitor with defibrillation function.Generally speaking, a defibrillator monitor has ECG, SPO2, NIBP, Pulse rate,TEMP, ETCO2, pacemaking and defibrillation etc functions. Pacemakers and defibrillators are generally used for 5 to 7 years or more, depending on usage and device type. After that a new device will be changed. But how long can a patient live with a defibrillator? Is there a fixed life expected span? We will find more in this article.

The following knowledge points are listed below:

Life span in which a patient live with a defibrillator

How to live longer with a defibrillator

1. Life span in which a patient live with a defibrillator

According to a new study, most patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy can live more than 7 years after ICD implantation, while those with inherited heart disease can live for decades. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. It uses electric shocks to the heart to stop a fatal irregular heartbeat called arrhythmia and return to a normal rhythm. But defibrillators cannot improve heart function or alleviate the symptoms of advanced heart failure.Doctors use different types of heart failure to describe the severity of the disease. These data may correspond to a rough estimate of the person's life expectancy. However, these are only estimates. If someone suffers from heart disease and chooses to ignore the medical experts they trust, I have seen this in some cases, and they may not live long at all. On the other hand, if managed properly, it is possible to live with heart failure for a long time.

Now, the problem of defibrillator placement is separate. Basically, if your heart has a potentially fatal rhythm disorder, you will definitely want a defibrillator. Normally, this is done so that your heart is automatically shocked when the device senses a deadly rhythm. However, this is actually a separate problem than heart failure, and the defibrillator is not a treatment for heart failure, but a treatment for arrhythmias. Need to figure out how severe the heart failure is and how severe the rhythm disorder is, and then ask about the prognosis.

2. How to live longer with a defibrillator

Once the device is implanted, you should be able to do the same things as people your age. Your movement is usually restricted only when the incision is healed. According to the doctor's instructions, these restrictions will only last 2 to 3 weeks. When you use a pacemaker or defibrillator, you still need to follow your doctor’s advice to exercise. If your doctor allows, you can drive or travel. Legal restrictions may prevent you from driving within 6 months of implanting an defibrillators or if the device catches fire. The heart rhythm that triggers this therapy may cause loss of consciousness, which is dangerous if you are driving.

Although the service life of your device is 5 to 7 years, you should check it regularly to make sure it is working properly. Different doctors may have different schedules for checking equipment. Many remote monitoring systems can be checked at home via telephone or Internet connection. The equipment manufacturer provides the necessary equipment. Your doctor will also recommend that you check the equipment yourself at regular intervals. Any changes to equipment settings must be made by trained medical professionals using equipment programmers.

Check the battery life, lead condition and various functions through device inquiry. During the interrogation process, the device makes a non-invasive connection with the device programmer through a special rod placed on the skin above the pacemaker or defibrillators. Data is transferred from the device to the programmer and evaluated. Most home device inquiry systems use wireless technology to connect the device to a special device, record the data and send it to your doctor.

Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse regularly. If you have any unusual symptoms or similar symptoms, please report it to your healthcare provider immediately..

As a conclusion, you may not predict the life time with a defibrillator, but you can take good care of it and learn to live with it. Our main product including Medical Furniture, In vitro Diagnostics, contact us now!