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Discomfort in upper right chest after ICD. Feeling ICD leads?
I had an ICD implanted 10 weeks ago on left side. Shortly after implant, I noticed a discomfort or slight pressure near right center chest area. No real pain, but definitely something new. My thought is that it is the leads running through the vein to my heart. When I asked the EP about it at 4 weeks, he waved it off as not a concern and the feeling would probably go away. However, it is still there, and even more consistent and noticeable now. I have learned to live with the ICD and have started to ignore it, but this pressure is always on my mind. Has anyone experienced a similar feeling?
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@ejstolte
Just for a quick background. I am on my 3rd ICD/Pacemaker. I have had three surgeries first one was in 2006.
You mentioned device being put on left (like mine) but you are feeling on right near chest? The device will have wires coming out of top that is usually where the discomfort can come from. I say that as that is where I felt some each time and was told by EP that was commone.
You said 10 weeks. Now again this comes from my EP. He told me takes about a year for body to accept the foreign device in your chest. What happens is the body encapsulates the device and wires which then reduces the inflammation and irritation from it. How long? Was told takes about a year to completely encapsulate.
He mentioned the splinter syndrone to me. Feeling something in side you. The worst thing you can do is rub the area as it will add to the inflammation. So yes to your question I have had similiar feelings but wanted to pass along this is common per my EP. And he was right it did take about one year to not feel the splinter affect.
I still have to be careful with arm movements and direct pressure on the area. Mine device is below my chest muscle. Most are done under the skin. My EP put mine under my chest muscle as said skin was too thin to do that and would be best to do under chest muscle.
I hope that helps with my expereince with this. I have another surgery coming up in 3 years for my fourth device.
Thanks for the support. I'm in the mode of watching and waiting to see if it gets worse. I am increasing physical activity (hiking, gym, yard work) so my concern is that I am not doing anything to make it worse. The feeling is pretty much the same if I am at rest or active. Just for clarity, I am 67 male with Sustained VTach, but no serious underlying heart disease.