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Hi All,
I don't have heart disease, but my boyfriend does. He has always wondered if his ICD is a conductor of lightning and if thats something he should take precautions against. Anyone know the answer to this?
Arrhythmia Heart disease Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
I have had an ICD for a year and have wondered if I am in a little extra danger, as well! I have NOT asked my doctor about this.
Interested to see the response..................
Yeah, he has had his for about a year and a half now. He always forgets to ask his doctor but as soon as a storm starts he wonders. It's not in the little book with the whole cell phone thing and things to avoid, so I don't think it would be, but we will find out!
I found this! ICDs just keep adding on the life saving advantages! Amazing story!
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Save Lives from Lightning-Related Electrocution Too!
ABSTRACT
We report an unusual case of a 75-year-old male electrocuted by lightning strike rescued by implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock coincidentally. Lightning strikes are an unusual cause of fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Depending on the amount of energy and the current vector affecting the heart, the arrhythmia burden ranges from asystole to ventricular fibrillation.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119399471/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRET RY=0
Interesting! That's one thing I've never even thought about.
Wow! That's an amazing side-benefit of having an ICD. You can get de-fibbed automatically long before the paramedics show up...
XOXOXO
http://www.myheartsisters.org
I would have never thought to ask that question! Staying on topic, a friend of my husbands has been struck TWICE by lightning! Yes 2 times! He doesn't have an ICD-he's was just a cowboy out with his herd...in northern AZ it can be quite flat...it is funny (in a demented way) to see him haul but to the closest building whenever he sees a storm coming. It's amazing that he survived and only one of his horses died.
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