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Defibrillators device support

Daily activities

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Getting back to daily life

Your TV-ICD or S-ICD system is designed to monitor and treat dangerously fast ventricular heart rhythms so you can lead a full and active life. You can find some general tips about resuming normal activities after your implant procedure below. But be sure to talk to your health care provider about what’s right for your specific situation.


Exercise and sports

Your health care provider may ask you to avoid strenuous activity, especially upper body activity, for a few months after the procedure to give you time to heal. After that, you will probably be able to do most of the things you did before your implant.

Your underlying heart condition and your TV-ICD or S-ICD device will factor into the type and amount of exercise you can do, so be sure to talk to your health care provider about what level of physical activity is best for you.

Your health care provider may recommend an exercise test to check the settings on your implanted device for the heart rate you achieve during activity. With the information from an exercise test, you and the people involved with exercise (coaches, gym instructors, etc.) can understand the physical activity and exercise targets you have.


Sexual activity

It’s common to be concerned about whether it’s safe to resume sexual intimacy after an ICD procedure. For most people with a TV-ICD or S-ICD, sexual activity is not a medical risk. This is because the natural heart rate increase that occurs during sex is the same as the heart rate increase when you exercise.

Testing at the hospital will help your health care provider program your device settings so you should not get a shock during sex. If you do receive a shock during sex, your partner may feel a tingling sensation. However, the shock will not harm your partner. Be sure to let your health care provider know if you receive a shock during sex so they can consider reprogramming your device.


Talk to your health care provider

Every patient’s situation is unique, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to safely resume normal activities after your ICD procedure.


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Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Important Safety Information

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is designed to monitor and treat heart rhythm problems, greatly reducing the risks associated with them. These devices are sensitive to strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) and can be affected by certain sources of electric or magnetic fields. Some of the risks encountered during the implant procedure include, but are not limited to, the following: Bleeding, formation of a blood clot, damage to adjacent structures (tendons, muscles, nerves), puncture of a lung or vein, damage to the heart (perforation or tissue damage), dangerous arrhythmias, heart attack, stroke, death. Some of the risks encountered after the ICD system is implanted may include, but are not limited to, the following: Infection, erosion of the skin near your device, lead(s) may move out of place in the heart, device may move from the original implant site, difficulty coping with having an implanted device. The device might be prevented from shocking or pacing due to electromagnetic interference. Electrodes on the lead or the pacing pulses may cause an irritation or damaging effect on the surrounding tissues, including heart tissue and nerves. You may receive a shock or pacing therapy when it is not needed (unnecessary therapy). The device might not be able to detect or appropriately treat your heart rhythms. The device may exhibit malfunctions that may result in lost or compromised ability to deliver therapy. You may experience some discomfort from the incision as you recover from the surgery. With all medical procedures there are risks associated. In rare cases device failure or death can occur. Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of this system. To obtain a copy of the device Patient Handbook for more detailed device safety information, go to www.bostonscientific.com, or you can request a copy by calling 1-866-484-3268 or writing to Boston Scientific, 4100 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55112. Rx only

S-ICD™ System
Important Safety Information

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is designed to monitor and treat heart rhythm problems, greatly reducing the risks associated with them. These devices are sensitive to strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) and can be affected by certain sources of electric or magnetic fields. As with all ICD systems, there are risks associated with the S-ICD System. Some of the risks that may be encountered during the implant procedure include the following: Formation of a blood clot; damage to adjacent structures (tendons, muscles, nerves); injury to or pain in upper extremity including clavicle, shoulder, and arm; dangerous arrhythmias; stroke. After the system is implanted, other infrequent risks may occur, including: Infection; erosion of the skin near your device; electrode and device may move out of place; fainting (syncope); delivery of a shock or therapy when it is not needed (unnecessary therapy); inability to detect or appropriately treat your heart rhythms due to electromagnetic interference or malfunction; difficulty coping with having an implanted device; bleeding or formation of a blood clot (hematoma); pain and discomfort; injury to or pain in upper extremity including clavicle, shoulder, and arm; allergic reaction; need for surgical replacement. You may experience some discomfort from the incision as you recover from the surgery. In rare cases severe complications can occur, such as device failures or death. Your physician should discuss all potential benefits and risks with you and describe the appropriate medical care. Refer to the product labeling for specific indications, contraindications, warnings/precautions and adverse events. Rx only

Device Quality and Reliability

It is Boston Scientific’s intent to provide implantable devices of high quality and reliability. However, these devices may exhibit malfunctions that may result in lost or compromised ability to deliver therapy. Refer to Boston Scientific’s CRM product performance report on www.bostonscientific.com for more information about device performance, including the types and rates of malfunctions that these devices have experienced historically. While historical data may not be predictive of future device performance, such data can provide important context for understanding the overall reliability of these types of products. Also, it is important that you talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of a device. 

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