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Hello, I need some of you advice on this. My mommy has a low heart rate since birth. Average 45 ,47. She started seeing doctor 13 years ago, since then the doctor told her to place an implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) nevertheless, we delayed to put that till now when she is 53. She has been on medications all along. Her disease is still so stable but didn't get better than that. So what I want to know here is that should we put the ICD now? What are the pros and cons after we put the ICD in her? The doctor has been telling us but for some reasons, we want to get some advices from the ones who have experience. Thank you for reading this. Please leave me some advice. Thank You a lot.

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I didn't mention it before but whenever I hear about someone who has any kind of chronic cardio/vascular dysfunction my mind immediately goes to the possibility of it contributing to the development of vascular dementia, a form of dementia that I believe is much more prevalent than is reported... diabetes, high cholesterol, low or high BP as well as stroke and heart disease are all risk factors.
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There was a period that the defibrillator function was determined to be defective, and if I recall correctly was recalled.   We raised the issue with my father's cardiologist, and IF I remember correctly, that function only was D'C'd.    It had never activated, so perhaps the defect was why.

As CWillie advises, your question really should be asked of a cardiologist, specifically whether there's any known defect and/or recall, if it's still needed, and what effect might occur and/or risks if it's not implanted.  

Advice from those with experience is helpful, but we're not cardiologists and can't assess anything with the accuracy of a medical pro.
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The physicians should be doing shared decision making with your mom about the implantation--it's really best to ask them. Here's a video and some information about decision making for AICD's. Usually they are recommended when the person has had either a heart rhythm that's dangerous, and/or has a weak heart muscle that can't pump out the blood well and results in them being short of breath (heart failure). Your mom's slow heart rate could limit how much medicine they can give her to treat her underlying disease (some of them slow the heart rate down). Generally, the cardiologist who places the device is specially trained to do it.

Video. https://vimeo.com/284768867
Booklet. https://patientdecisionaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ICDInfographic-4.8.19.pdf
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I am surprised Mom did not go with this ages ago. I think its a simple procedure and it may help the heart increase the beats. Its usually done for people that have AFib, Heart beats erratically. Hopefully a member has had this done. Just my opinion, if it doesn't work I think it can be removed.
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My sister-in-law has had an implanted defibrillator for many years now. She’s only been cardioverted, or shocked, by it a few times. That was unpleasant for sure, but could also have saved her life. Otherwise, she rarely even thinks about it being there. I wish you the best in figuring this out, listen to the doctors and ask any questions you have
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We are a forum of caregivers not medical professionals so we can't possibly know what is best for your mother. What I do know is that implanting defibrillators and/or pacemakers are not really considered risky procedures any more and I wouldn't hesitate to follow my doctor's recommendations. I also suspect that some the kind of problems she is apt to face from chronic low heart rate are likely cumulative and even though she is just fine now you may regret delaying at some point in the future.
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Edrin224 Aug 2021
Thank you for your answer.🤍
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