1. < Heart & Blood Health

Low EF: Getting an S-ICD. Any tips, experience to share?

Posted by bevh @bevh, May 12, 2020

Dr says I can’t take any drugs to improve on this because of my low blood pressure. Now, because of my low ejection fraction (35%) dr says I need an implantable defibrillator. Anyone know of any other way to increase this?

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bevh | @bevh | Aug 25, 2020
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @bevh, as you will see, I merged your two discussions. The benefit of keeping like..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @bevh, as you will see, I merged your two discussions. The benefit of keeping like conversations together is so you don't have to keep up with two different discussions and it affords everyone who replied an update on how you are doing and what is happening with you moving forward with the placement of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator. You might be interested in a news post that Mayo shared about these defibrillators as well as a discussion where Connect members are talking about implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
- What is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/genetic-heart-rhythm-disorders/newsfeed-post/what-is-an-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator-icd/

- Understanding ICDs – Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/understanding-icds-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator/

Can you share how you came to the decision to have one placed?

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My doctor said with my low ef it would be wise to have one

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1 reply
susikelley | @susikelley | Aug 25, 2020
In reply to @bevh "My doctor said with my low ef it would be wise to have one" + (show)
@bevh

My doctor said with my low ef it would be wise to have one

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What is your EF? NUMBER

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Sep 24, 2020

@bevh Hi Bev Just checking in to see how your doing. How did the placement go? What do you think of the device any thought? I remember my recovery did take a while but got a lot better once everything healed.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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janwright74 | @janwright74 | Jun 17, 2021

I have exercise induced (it appears) low blood pressure. After a walk with my dog, it tends to be quite low, the lowest being 63/43 with pulse 85. I react to pharmaceuticals and chemicals in general, so I've been adding a good salt to my drinking water, staying well hydrated, and am taking supplements that are supposed to help with cardiovascular stuff: B-12, magnesium, potassium, Vitamins D3 and K2, and electrolytes. From a heatstroke I suffered three years ago, I am extremely sensitive to heat, as well as cold (low bp). Otherwise, I'm a pretty healthy 74 year old female. But I'm scared to go out on a hike or out in the sun for any event for fear of lowering my bp too much and getting light-headed. So far, I haven't passed out. Is there anyone who has experience with this? Help?

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jun 17, 2021

@janwright Welcome to Mayo connect .We
try to help with problems that we have also. You haven't said if you have been to see a Cardiologist or not That B P is extremely low Have you made an appointment to see one of not I would that bp I Let us know as we are a caring group very low b.p I wish you. Welll

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1 reply
janwright74 | @janwright74 | Jun 18, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@janwright Welcome to Mayo connect .We try to help with problems that we have also. You..." + (show)
@lioness

@janwright Welcome to Mayo connect .We
try to help with problems that we have also. You haven't said if you have been to see a Cardiologist or not That B P is extremely low Have you made an appointment to see one of not I would that bp I Let us know as we are a caring group very low b.p I wish you. Welll

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Thanks for responding. I have yet to see a cardiologist, though I talked with my former husband after it got THAT low, a cardiologist in Salt Lake City. He asked, "Well, how do you FEEL?" And I said "a little light-headed, but the bp goes up after a while and I'm fine." He's had patients with very low bp that still feel okay, that the numbers are low according to normal standards, but some people are okay with that. I'm going to my internal med doc in a week. She always wants to put me on drugs, and I have a "paradoxical reaction to pharmaceuticals" so I try not to go there but may have to. I have a feeling this might be related, or a result of, the heatstroke I had three summers ago. Thoughts?

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1 reply
janwright74 | @janwright74 | Jun 18, 2021

This looks like a really great group of caring people! I am happy to have found this avenue to discuss heart problems. Thanks, all!

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lioness | @lioness | Jun 18, 2021
In reply to @janwright74 "Thanks for responding. I have yet to see a cardiologist, though I talked with my former..." + (show)
@janwright74

Thanks for responding. I have yet to see a cardiologist, though I talked with my former husband after it got THAT low, a cardiologist in Salt Lake City. He asked, "Well, how do you FEEL?" And I said "a little light-headed, but the bp goes up after a while and I'm fine." He's had patients with very low bp that still feel okay, that the numbers are low according to normal standards, but some people are okay with that. I'm going to my internal med doc in a week. She always wants to put me on drugs, and I have a "paradoxical reaction to pharmaceuticals" so I try not to go there but may have to. I have a feeling this might be related, or a result of, the heatstroke I had three summers ago. Thoughts?

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@janwortj74That is a possibility I had heatstroke a long time ago. A few years later I had shortness of breath and a heart problem Best of luck I would see a Cardiologist

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