Ask the Experts

I have an ICD which was implanted 3 1/2 years ago following my cardiac event. My husband just came across this article today on MSNBC and I wanted to know if an ICD can repeatedly deliver shocks in end of life situations as explained within the article? If so, what do we (those with ICDs), need to know, so that we can prepare, and plan accordingly if we find ourselves in an end of life situation in order to prevent our ICDs from continuously firing? There are recommendations in the article, but wanted to come to the experts for advice.
Thanks and looking forward to your feedback.

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/07/8212715-shocking-ending-imp...

Hello
Are you aware of any research about AEDs in the workplace.
I'd like to see a spreadsheet with the Fortune 500 companies in one column, for example, and whether they have AEDs in the workplace in another column.

Is this web site willing to post such a list. It might take a while to collect the data, but it's worth it. Employers who don't have AEDs in the workplace, should get them

Thank you and god Bless

I had a sudden cardiac arrest in October 2009 (about 16 months ago) at age 20. After I recieved an ICD I was placed on Metoprolol Succinate and Peridoprol Arginine (in the form of Coversyl -- I'm from Australia). Recently, I have developed a persistant dry/tickling cough. As 22 year olds do, I Googled the cough to see what the causes/remedies may be, and I stumbled across a phrase "The Coversyl Cough". Searching Google for this new term, I discovered numerous forums and blogs about the cough, supposedly caused by the drug's sideaffect of stimulating the pulmonary cough reflex by kinins. It goes on to suggest that to remove this cough, request a change of medication from your doctor. What I would like to know first however (and I would ask these mentioned forums but they are several years outdated) is - is it even possible to get "The Coversyl Cough" side effect, 16 months after prescription? Secondly, is the Coversyl Cough even a real thing?

Hello.  I'm new to this website.  On June 4, 2010, my father suffered cardiac arrest.  Through many twists of fate, divine intervention and overall good luck, he survived his bout with ventricular fibrillation after 3 minutes of unconsciousness.

Hey...Im a 31 year old male...super hypochondriac following the death of a close friend last year from SCA....

I have visied numerous cardiologists and have performed the following tests:

ECG which appeared normal

24 Hour Holter which indicated no arrhythmias

Echo which showed everything normal

Ejection test showed over 55%

Blood tests showed everything fine

Stress test i managed to reach 10.1 metz with work clothes and shoes on...the stress test did however state that there was 'significant ST depression at very high levels of exercise'

As I am undergoing super stress from all this SCA reading could someone please consult me?  I have had no previous heart diseases, none have ever happened in the family.  Is there any other test i should do?  Am i SCA free?

I'm not sure if this is considered SCA, but when I went to a prenatal visit with my OB, my blood pressure was crazy high, like 257/137 or something like that. Anyway, he sent me straight to the hospital and told me he was probably going to do the c-section that day (April 11,2007).

well, as they were fixing to take me into the operating room, I went into a seizure and then into cardiac arrest. They called a code blue and made my family leave the room while they worked on me.

Everything turned out OK, except I noticed probably within the first few days and weeks that my memory is not like it was. I was forgetting everything. When I told my doctor about it, he dismissed it as just being a new mom and lack of sleep. I'm not sure it's getting worse, but I just don't remember things like I used to. I was always really good and picking up on new software and programs and now it's like I just can't keep it in.

My grandmother is a cardiac patient . Having heart problem from last ten years this time she had a silent heart attack while she was sleeping. The result of it was her she was unconcious and her pulse rate decreased. Is there any particular advice for her. As per doctors advice she is taking anti attack dosage.

Amy Cooper

 South Dakota Drug Treatment Centers

 It seems the medical experts in Canada are more conservative in making diagnoses, than in the US.   Should I be going to the US to get a diagnosis?  

I'm 37 female, no other health concerns, except the tachy and lightheadedness/syncope.  It generally happens when I have two out the three following:  overtired, sick and stressed.  I've lost consciousness, but for very short periods of tiem, less than a minute.  It also happens immediately following hard exercise - if I stop jogging suddenly I generally come very close to blacking out.  I've struggled with symptoms for 5 years now, and even through 2 Reveals, nothing has been confirmed or ruled out.  My QTc ranges from 476 (machine) resting to .51, to 472 and 484 each after syncope.  A holter measured .50 to .52 overnight. 

Should I be pushing harder for answers?  

Hello,
 
    Let me tell a little history about myself.  At the moment, I am a 20 year old male and think I may have ATS, a rare form of long qt syndrome as I understand it.  I was looking for some information to see if anyone has ever had anything similar to what I am about to describe or if it fits in with ATS and is something I should pursue.  I have an electrophysiologist that I trust, however, given as it is so rare, I wonder if it might not have occurred to him or maybe he doesn't know enough about it to propose it.  I will be going to Mayo April 6th, but want to know from people who know about ATS or have had it whether it is something that would be advised to bring up with them.  I realize anything you say is not medical advice or a diagnosis.  Now on to the history.