The first support group for people with irregular heartbeats met on July 20 to help patients better understand their devices and how to live with them.

The group is targeted at patients with automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs), their spouse, family and friends. The AICD support group is a non-medical group, and a press release emphasised that the group ?does not replaces the services of a qualified doctor?.

At future meetings, such subjects that will be discussed are: patient responsibilities, what to do when receiving a shock and how it feels, operating household appliances and electrical tools, and things to avoid such as electromagnetic fields created by cell phones, radio antenna and generators will be discussed.

According to a press release, terminology and medications will be discussed in future meetings to which the group hopes to invite professionals who may be able to better explain such topics.

An AICD includes a pulse generator and one or more insulated wires leading to the heart. The system is implanted under the skin near the collarbone and checks the heart?s electrical signals, delivering electrical energy when it senses an abnormal heart rhythm also known as arrhythmia.

For additional information, call 236-8238 or speak to your cardiac specialist.