Millions of people are affected each year by ventricular rhythmias. These irregular heartbeats can cause ventricular arrhythmias. If untreated, irregular heartbeats or fast beats can cause sudden cardiac deaths. This is a condition that kills around 300,000 people each year in the United States.1,2
The key to preventing an arrhythmia from becoming a serious health issue is knowing the warning signs, seeing a doctor for recommended tests to determine if your heart is beating irregularly and receiving an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) if an arrhythmia is detected.
Rapid heartbeat, also known as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular palpitations, can cause chest pain, dizziness and lightheadedness, fainting, near fainting, rapid heartbeats, and rapid heart beats. This happens when the heart beats too fast to properly circulate blood. You should consult a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
CRT-Ds and ICDs are effective in treating irregular or fast heartbeats
ICDs, small, pocket-sized computers placed under the skin in upper chest have been saving lives for over 30 years. These devices deliver a lifesaving or painless shock to stop dangerous irregular or fast heartbeats. Although most shocks are required to stop fatal arrhythmias and prevent them from becoming life-threatening, some studies have shown that as many as 20% of implantable defibrillators users may receive inappropriate shocks due to benign arrhythmias or electrical noises.
Protecta XT & ProtectaTM – The Latest Innovation in Reducing Inappropriate Shocks
Medtronic’s Protecta range of implantable defibrillators features exclusive features to decrease inappropriate shocks. With SmartShock™ Technology, six Medtronic-exclusive algorithms distinguish between life-threatening and non life-threatening arrhythmias and electrical noise within the device system and deliver lifesaving shock therapy.
“With the advanced technology now available, I know I’m providing my patients with the best care for their heart and also offering them increased peace of mind,”Hafiza Khan M.D., Electrophysiologist at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano “This new technology’s proven ability to virtually eliminate inappropriate shock will significantly improve my patients’ confidence and quality of life.”
Protecta Portfolio now allows patients suffering from arrhythmia to continue living an active life, without having to worry about their heart condition. You can learn more about implantable heart devices and the conditions that they treat at: www.medtronic.com.
1 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2006 Update.
2 American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures. 2006.
3 CIA. The World Fact Book Rank Order AIDS HIV/AIDS Deaths Available at www.cia.gov.
4 Kadish A. Dyer A. Daubert JP, and others. Implantation of a prophylactic defibrillator in patients with nonischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med. May 20, 2004;350(21):2151-2158.
5 Daubert JP. Zareba W. Cannom DS, et. al. for the MADIT II investigators. Inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks in MADIT II: frequency, mechanisms, predictors, and survival impact. J Am Coll Cardiol. April 8, 2008;51(14):1357-1365.
6 Poole JE, Johnson GW, Hellkamp AS, et al. Defibrillator shocks can be predictive of future outcomes in patients suffering from heart failure. N Engl J Med. September 4, 2008;359(10):1009-1017.
7 Mitka M. A new study confirms the lifesaving benefits implantable defibrillators can provide. JAMA. July 8, 2009:302(2);134-135.
