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Moderator

Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others

Posted by Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan, Mar 12, 2025

Welcome to the Pacemaker & ICDs Support Group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

If you or someone you care about has had a pacemaker or an implantable cardio device (ICD), this is a great place to talk with others with similar experiences. Here, you will learn from one-another and share stories about surgery, recovery, lifestyle changes, successes, setbacks and what strategies helped other members on their journey.

Take these steps to participate in the group:

  • Follow the group.
  • Browse topics.
  • Use the group search to find relevant topics to your questions.
  • Introduce yourself.

Pull up a chair and chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of device do you have? What tip would you share with others?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pacemaker & ICDs Support Group.

Profile picture for Linda, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | 18 hours ago
In reply to @bri793 "Linda, thank you very much! I've just learned the type of ICD I'll have - Medtronic..." + (show)
Profile picture for bri793 @bri793

Linda, thank you very much! I've just learned the type of ICD I'll have - Medtronic 3 CRTD JIVICD CRTD, do you know about it?

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@bri793 I just looked on Medtronic's website (type Medtronic 3 CRTD JIVICD CRTD) in your browser) and found an overwhelming amount of information on all kinds of ICDs. They all seem quite similar! An electrophysiologist would select the one most suited to your needs, as one has done for you. We know the basic function of the pacemaker part is to keep hearts beating at a steady pace and the ICD part delivers a shock should the heart stop or beat in erratic patterns (no shocks so far for me).

I've had a Medtronic ICD (named Buddy) with 2 leads for almost 4 years; I do not know the specific type. You will probably get a monitor to place near your bed (mine is on a shelf) that will send reports when requested by your care people. Usually during the night. Mine flashes like lightning during a thunderstorm when transmitting.

Medtronic is a reputable company that provides services for many health conditions. My former next-door neighbor and one of her daughters had a Medtronic device to monitor their Type I diabetes.

Many people following this discussion have Medtronics - ICDs or just plain pacemakers. In these discussions people have mentioned at least 3 other reputable ICD/pacemaker companies.

Has a date been set for installation?

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for jc76
jc76 | @jc76 | 14 hours ago
In reply to @walkinggirl "@bri793 I just looked on Medtronic's website (type Medtronic 3 CRTD JIVICD CRTD) in your browser)..." + (show)
Profile picture for Linda, Volunteer Mentor @walkinggirl

@bri793 I just looked on Medtronic's website (type Medtronic 3 CRTD JIVICD CRTD) in your browser) and found an overwhelming amount of information on all kinds of ICDs. They all seem quite similar! An electrophysiologist would select the one most suited to your needs, as one has done for you. We know the basic function of the pacemaker part is to keep hearts beating at a steady pace and the ICD part delivers a shock should the heart stop or beat in erratic patterns (no shocks so far for me).

I've had a Medtronic ICD (named Buddy) with 2 leads for almost 4 years; I do not know the specific type. You will probably get a monitor to place near your bed (mine is on a shelf) that will send reports when requested by your care people. Usually during the night. Mine flashes like lightning during a thunderstorm when transmitting.

Medtronic is a reputable company that provides services for many health conditions. My former next-door neighbor and one of her daughters had a Medtronic device to monitor their Type I diabetes.

Many people following this discussion have Medtronics - ICDs or just plain pacemakers. In these discussions people have mentioned at least 3 other reputable ICD/pacemaker companies.

Has a date been set for installation?

Jump to this post

@walkinggirl
I have heard good things about Medtronic. At Mayo Jacksonville when you go into the Pace Clinic they have all the manufactures of ICD, Pacemaker and ICD/Pacemakers dual device.

I had a Boston Scientific put in way back in 2006. I am on my 3rd one and will have another this year or early next year as battery is at 1.5 years. I also have a device next to my bed that automatically does a remote check every 3 months AND is programmed to also send any episodes.

I have not nicknamed mine other that my own EMS team in my chest waiting to help me.

REPLY
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bri793 | @bri793 | 10 hours ago

Do ICD users recommend a particular shoulder pad to be worn on the car seatbelt over the ICD? Also a particular sling to wear at night to prevent someone who has just gotten an implant from putting their left arm over their head? I am a 75 YO man.

REPLY
1 reply
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jc76 | @jc76 | 2 hours ago
In reply to @bri793 "Do ICD users recommend a particular shoulder pad to be worn on the car seatbelt over..." + (show)
Profile picture for bri793 @bri793

Do ICD users recommend a particular shoulder pad to be worn on the car seatbelt over the ICD? Also a particular sling to wear at night to prevent someone who has just gotten an implant from putting their left arm over their head? I am a 75 YO man.

Jump to this post

@bri793
This subject came up Mayo Community Connect (MCC) several months ago. Many posters posted things they did and products they purchased.

What I did was to lower the seat belt to under my arm pit. This moved the seat belt to below the ICD/Pacemaker I have. It works for me, but emphasize "Me,"

One poster mentioned the seat belts were designed to be worn not to be under the arm pit. That is very true. But at least for me, and only me, it moved the seat belt below my device.

I did try the pads but still caused discomfort and rubbing on the site. Most notably during the time period after surgery and area very sore and sensitive. My electrophysiologist told me to avoid any pressure on the site. What I notice is when you move with seat belt on it can really add some pressure of the belt over the surgery site and location of your device.

REPLY
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