A defibrillator jacket, such as the LifeVest™, is a wearable medical device that monitors your heart rhythm and automatically delivers an electrical shock to restore a normal heartbeat if it detects a life-threatening arrhythmia.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Purpose: The primary purpose of a defibrillator jacket is to prevent sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in individuals at high risk.
- Mechanism of Action:
- Monitoring: It continuously monitors the heart's electrical activity.
- Detection: It identifies dangerous arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
- Treatment: Upon detection of a life-threatening arrhythmia, the device delivers a controlled electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.
- Who Needs One? Defibrillator jackets are typically prescribed for people who:
- Are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest but aren't candidates for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) immediately.
- Have had a recent heart attack.
- Have certain heart conditions that increase their risk of arrhythmia.
- Are waiting for a more permanent solution, such as an ICD implantation or heart transplant.
- Example: The LifeVest™ is a common brand of wearable defibrillator. It's worn directly against the skin and monitors the heart 24/7.
In essence, a defibrillator jacket serves as a temporary, external defibrillator for those at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, providing a critical safety net until a more permanent solution is implemented or the risk subsides.
