A cardiac life vest is an implantable cardiacverter defibrillator (ICD) alternative that monitors your heart and administers shocks when dangerous arrhythmias arise, offering protection for people who may not qualify or choose not to get one of these devices. It provides great options for people who do not wish to get an ICD implanted as part of a healthcare solution plan.
A cardiac life vest helps reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in those with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and also provides protection while waiting to undergo ICD placement.
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Defibrillator
Defibrillators are devices designed to administer an electrical shock to a person’s heart if it detects abnormal heart rhythms known as arrhythmias, which may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Defibrillators are used as treatment for those experiencing cardiac arrest at risk of dying and use electrical shock therapy as the best way of combatting them.
Defibrillators can be an invaluable lifesaver, particularly for people living with certain health conditions or at increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Because a defibrillator could potentially save a life at any moment, having one in your home or on the go should be seen as essential equipment.
There are two types of defibrillators: automatic external defibrillators (AED) and wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCD). AEDs are often used for treating individuals at higher risk for cardiac arrest such as people living with diabetes or high blood pressure; wearable cardioverter defibrillators can provide protection for individuals at risk, such as people suffering from high blood pressure.
An AED analyzes a patient’s heart rhythm to detect potentially life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation. Once detected, it decides if shocking with electricity should take place via adhesive electrode pads placed directly onto their chests.
After an AED has determined that shock treatment is needed, it will instruct the user to press a button and deliver one. This shock will break up an irregular heart rhythm and give your heart time to return to a more normal rhythm.
Before using an AED on yourself, it’s essential that you understand its workings and proper usage. Although this might initially feel intimidating, with professional assistance you will quickly be up and running using this lifesaving device.
As directed by your healthcare provider and practiced on an acquaintance or family member. Defibrillators are easy to operate and they provide all of the information in an easily understandable voice prompt.
The Zoll LifeVest wearable defibrillator is used to treat individuals at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest. It is particularly useful for individuals with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (the percentage of blood that the heart can pump out each contraction), such as from thyroid disease.
Life Vest
Life vests are lightweight defibrillators designed to offer continuous protection for people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). This device constantly monitors a person’s heart and delivers electrical shocks if any abnormal rhythms are detected.
Protecting people who have experienced a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction after suffering a heart attack or prior to or post stent/bypass procedures. Also protecting individuals with cardiac diseases such as cardiomyopathy, heart failure or myocarditis that increase their risk for SCA is another benefit of the device.
Tens of thousands of Americans wear the LifeVest every day in an effort to lower the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). This lightweight, user-friendly device monitors a person’s heart for potentially lethal arrhythmias and administers an electrical shock when necessary.
The device should fit snugly under clothing and must provide good skin contact and be lightweight so as to not weigh down its wearer.
Recent research found that wearing a life vest may reduce the incidence of SCA among people with low ejection fractions post-heart attack, who did not undergo revascularization such as stent placement or bypass surgery. The trial enrolled 2,302 participants who had reduced ejection fractions of 35 percent or lower after having an event and did not undergo any revascularization techniques such as stent placement or bypass surgery to participate.
During this study, participants were provided a life vest and instructed to wear it continuously for 90 days, reporting any changes in ejection fraction as part of this trial. Results of this trial demonstrated that those wearing the device had significantly less SCA on average compared with those not donning such devices.
The Zoll LifeVest wearable cardiac defibrillator is an FDA-approved device that is intended to help prevent sudden cardiac death in adults who have reduced left ventricular systolic ejection fraction following heart attacks, or prior or after revascularization such as stent or bypass surgery. Additionally, this wearable defibrillator may be appropriate for use with children who do not qualify for an implanted cardiac defibrillator – whether due to age limitations, incompatibility issues or because an implant would not be appropriate due to age constraints.
Heart Rate Monitor
Heart rate monitors allow their users to measure and record their own heartbeats for later analysis, making them popular with fitness enthusiasts and athletes. A heart rate monitor allows users to monitor performance, enhance exercise routines and potentially lower the risk of cardiovascular disease over time.
The most accurate heart rate monitors utilize an electrical detection mechanism to read and track your heart’s electrical activity – similar to medical devices such as electrocardiograms (ECG).
There are various kinds of heart rate monitors on the market, ranging from wrist or forearm-worn wearables, chest straps and optical sensors to chest-band devices which read your pulse via an attached sensor strap around your chest and optical sensors. Chest band devices are generally considered more accurate and reliable for both resting and exercising activities.
Optic monitoring employs light to measure the rate at which blood is flowing through your capillaries, making these devices significantly cheaper than chest straps but still vulnerable to errors when blood pulses rapidly.
In a 2018 study, I conducted extensive tests comparing several of the best-selling optical heart rate monitors against EKGs; performing both normal resting rates and with accelerated pulsations following running for one mile. The results were clear: optical devices like the Basis Carbon Steel and Gear Fit failed to accurately record my heart rate at both speeds while EKGs proved accurate every time.
Optic sensors may provide slightly more accurate readings than their chest-band counterparts; however, their reliability cannot compare to chest-band monitors that have undergone independent accuracy testing and therefore these devices are unsuitable for patients requiring more accurate readings than optical sensors can offer.
Patients seeking to treat life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia with cardiac life vests for adults equipped with heart rate monitors can find such devices invaluable tools in treating them. Your cardiologist will be able to detect and treat arrhythmias that prevent you from breathing effectively using this device; additionally, these vests contain electrodes for defibrillation shock delivery as necessary.
Batteries
A cardiac life vest for adults is an instant defibrillation device you can wear around your waist or shoulder strap, consisting of two components. A lightweight vest houses electrodes which sense your heart rhythm and deliver shock while its monitoring module includes accelerometer, vibration box and heart rate sensors to detect life-threatening heartbeats.
At its heart, wearable cardiac defibrillators offer one key advantage over traditional options: no third party is necessary to monitor and wear one for you! This makes wearable defibrillators a fantastic solution for people at risk for sudden cardiac arrest due to medical conditions, such as conditions that increase risk. New generation wearable cardiac defibrillators also boast long battery longevity without needing the user to reposition for prolonged use; battery and monitor both can be charged via USB.
LifeVest may be suitable for most patients; however, those at higher risk for sudden cardiac death would most benefit from its advanced technology.