No fib! Got shocked biking...

I’m an experienced cyclist, small town. 75% errands in traffic, 25% edge of town.

I’ve had an ICD for 3 months. I put about 1,000 miles on my Trek between the install and when I got defibbed while on the bike.

I thought I’d found my “sweet spot” balancing mild exertion while staying below the “shock bar.” I haven’t been back to the cardiologist yet for my post op consult.I’m wondering if there’s any correlation between a reasonably induced exercise (sinus) heart rate and the heart suddenly going tachy.

Or maybe he can tell me what my heart rate was prior to being defibbed? In either event, cycling’s probably over forever.

Anyone with a similar story?

6 Comments

Get it checked!

by kmom - 2014-08-30 02:08:27

They can run an interrogation and find out. You may just need a simple adjustment. Iam surprised that you haven't been back for any follow up. Good luck and keep us posted

Dear Get it checked & So sorry.

by Cycler - 2014-08-30 05:08:50

Thanks to you both! Words of encouragement! I am HEARTBROKEN that I'll never ride again... but maybe I can/will! My 1st post-op consult is next month. If by interrogation, you mean the device phoning home, it did. I updated the Evansville Heart Hospital/Doc manually, he just didn't do anything. I thought he thought it was "hopeless." Will find out next month.

I was shocked at 10 MPH pulling into my driveway after a 10 mile ride. Arrogant and in denial (because I have no symptoms, ever), I rolled to a stop and just stood there straddling the bike, indignant. It literally never occurred to me that I might get fibbed. I was so confident in my element: 10-15 miles/day at 16 MPH avg. Then I realized that it shocked me 25 feet from where it all began 5 months ago, going down on my bike leading to the ICD. I'm blessed, it could have happened in front of Lowes with some poor guy in a Suburban running over me (too).

Now I know what it's like. I (insurance) paid $3,800 to knock me back out, reattached a dislocated lead and test shock me. Guess I have to say, next time I'll pocket the $3,800.

Hit me!!!

Shocked

by Grateful Heart - 2014-08-30 06:08:32

I agree with kmom and Sparrow, you should go to the Doctors.

Sorry you had to go through that but it may have saved your life.

You will probably be able to cycle again. In fact, the Doctors encourage exercise so I wouldn't worry about that right now, you may just need an adjustment to your device. Find out what is going on.

I think about it sometimes....how can you not? Lately I have had readings of over 200 on my HR monitor so it's been on my mind. Just yesterday, 228 at the gym using weight machines at 90 lbs. max!

I'm very interested in what your Doctor says so keep us posted please.

Grateful Heart

Dear: Take Care Of Business

by Cycler - 2014-08-31 02:08:11

Will indeed. Thanks!

Programming Needed

by TJStitch - 2014-08-31 10:08:42

The most important thing is you need to get the device checked and see if the shock was appropriate or not. There are a number of discriminators on all ICDs (differing with manufacturer) that differentiate between a normal fast heart rhythm during exercise and one of the dangerous arrhythmias you likely had the device implanted to prevent.

So my advice is get it checked by a Cardiologist +/- a technical rep from the company that makes your device (or a cardiac physiologist if you are in the U.K).

The device is there to protect you but it shouldn't stop you doing what you want.

Cheers

Rich
Cardiac Physiologist

Dear Cardiac Physiologist

by Cycler - 2014-08-31 12:08:49

Thank you! Your thoughts are so inspiring! I like how you say there are discriminators on all ICDs that differentiate between a normal fast heart rhythm during exercise and a dangerous arrhythmia the device was installed to prevent.

Reading about ICDs from the net, where you find nothing about their programming complexities... I just figured that, if you go tacky @ X # of BPS for X # of seconds, if it can't pace you it defibs you. It doesn't know exercise from sex from being asleep. No? You sure? Are ICD's really that sophisticated? Hmmm. Discriminators.

We'll see.

So... you think there's a chance one could feel comfortable biking 1 or 2 MPH slower, without the fear of being electrocuted?

True or false? A heart rate of X is less likely than a heart rate of X+. Say, X is 85 and X+ is 140.

Thanks again!

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