ICDs cost less than half what they did in 1980. They also provide savings through shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, quicker recovery, and longer patient lives. By bringing all chambers of the heart into proper rhythm, these devices will allow patients to conduct more normal lives-continuing their jobs, doing housework, walking, and climbing stairs. Some models will also be equipped with systems to correct the erratic heart rhythm that can lead to sudden death. Congestive heart failure is one of the leading reasons that Medicare patients are hospitalized-more than pneumonia, stroke, kidney ailments, diabetes, and most types of cancer.
Many patients spend a month in the hospital over the course of a year.
Heart rhythm disorders occur when the heart does not beat properly-too quickly, too slowly, or in a chaotic manner. These disorders are caused by electrical problems within the heart and can result in fatigue, fainting, dizziness, and even sudden death. Heart rhythm disorders affect approximately 4 million people in the US 4 . 750,000 people are affected by slow heart rhythms, called bradycardias. 2.2 million are affected by fast heart rhythms, called tachycardias.