Defibrillator

[Del1971]

Hello everyone...I wanted to find out more information about my father's heart health.  Around 15 years ago he had a heart attack and since then he changed his lifestyle completely.  He is 79 years old, but you would never guess because he has led such a health conscious lifestyle with eating and exercise.  Last year he injured his knee which turned into a back problem which became so bad he had surgery.  He recovered completely, but had a great deal of down time from his regular exercise.  He got back on a routine shortly after, but recently his heart check-up revealed that his heart which was working at 35% dropped to 20%.  He was told that he needed a defibrillator.  My very loving parents who have been married 43 years and love their children very much like to keep things very private.  When he had his heart attack he had a double bypass which was successful and has maintained with medication.  They didn't want to share details and he always seemed so healthy that I have never worried.  I realize now how ignorant I am about the seriousness of his condition.  My sister told me he has a 30% chance of immediate death.  I just want to know if this surgery will change anything for him.  Will he ever regain more use of his heart or are all these percentages a kind of fate for him.  I guess I am just looking for some hope.  

[ireneo]

My Dad had 4 heart attacks and had an ICD put in. It was a big help. In the end he passed away from cancer; his heart held up through all of that illness. Amazing

[kevk]

I do not know if the ICD will change your fathers heart condition but it will help protect him from sudden cardiac death.  I am on my fourth ICD in seventeen years, my ICD saved my life thirteen years ago.