The original post: /r/iama by /u/Hank_E_Pants on 2024-12-11 21:14:03.
Street cred:
-I spent 17 years working for Medtronic, which is the largest of the device manufacturers. During my time I worked “in-house” in Customer Service, Training and Education, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and Marketing. I worked with the Engineers who design these devices, with the field reps that assists during implants and replacements, with the service reps who meet patients during their office visits, and with the doctors who implant them. I have also toured the assembly lines where the devices are made and have met some of the people who made my implanted device. I’m even featured in some of Medtronic’s on-linehelp videos..
-In 2014, after 2 episodes of fainting, I received a loop recorder that captured a potentially fatal heart rhythm (non-sustained VT). In November of 2014 I received my implanted defibrillator “just in case”. It has never shocked me or paced me. I am due for a replacement in about 2 years.
-After my implant I became deeply involved in the device patient community on social media. I now moderate 4 device related groups on Facebook and one on Reddit ( r/PacemakerICD ). I also created a YouTube page with videos explaining these devices, how one can safely live a normal life with a device, and where I dispel many myths and try to correct misinformation. I also occasionally post pacemaker/ICD related content on TikTok.
-I have also been interviewed for several podcasts and articles as a device-patient expert.
(PROOF: Heart Warrior Project interview, Related article, Sudden Cardiac Arrest-UK Podcast interview, DCMF Webinar 1, DCMF Webinar 2, DCMF Webinar 3, DCMF Webinar 4.
3 notes:
- I can’t give any medical advice. For that you’ll need to talk to your heart specialist.
- I no longer work for Medtronic and in absolutely no way do I speak for them. All comments are based on my knowledge and experiences, and are mine alone.
- I don’t know everything. I’ll try to answer best I can, but will also tell you when I don’t know an answer.
In the picture:
1 Insertable Loop Recorder
2 Leadless pacemaker
3 Pacemaker
4 Cardiac Re-Synchronization Therapy Pacemaker (CRT-P)
5 Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
6 Cardiac Re-Synchronization Therapy Defibrillator (CRT-D)
7 Passive fixation lead
8 Active fixation lead
9 Suturing sleeves
More Proof:
