Common Myths and Facts about Living with an LVAD

Dealing with a disease like Heart Failure comes with situations where you may need to make some difficult choices. One such example is whether to go for LVAD when your doctor has suggested it as one of the treatment options until you get a suitable donor for a heart transplant. LVAD or Left Ventricular Assist Device helps your heart to pump blood more efficiently, but why it is needed and how it provides you relief is something you may be concerned about. 

And that just not the only thing that makes it even harder to make a decision, as you may come across countless myths, misconceptions, or even half-truths. In that case, how will you separate facts to make an informed and life-changing decision when most of what you hear may not have any link to reality?

Let’s talk about some of these myths you may have heard about life after LVAD and find the reality, if they have any.

What are some of the Myths about life after an LVAD? – The Facts Explained

Having incomplete knowledge is far more dangerous than knowing nothing. So, when you are gathering information on something as big as LVAD and life after it, you must know all the myths related to it. It is necessary because it will help you to reach the real facts that will truly help you in making an informed decision. Here are some of the myths and facts explained:

Myth: Every Heart Failure Patient Needs an LVAD or Heart Transplant

Fact: Not every patient you see with heart failure has the same intensity or severity of the condition. Some may get an early diagnosis, which can be managed with medications and lifestyle modification. Others may come to know when they are already in the advanced stage of heart failure, where they may need the support of LVAD as a bridge to heart transplant. 

Myth: Survival with LVAD is lower than Heart Transplant 

Fact: Comparing an LVAD and a Heart Transplant is not something we recommend you do. Heart Transplant is replacing a diseased heart with a new healthy one, while LVAD is just here to support your failing heart and not cure it. A Heart Transplant may offer you greater survival rates, but with the innovation in medical technology, LVAD is now offering more years to live than before. 

Myth: Life with an LVAD means being inactive and having a poor quality of life 

Fact: LVAD improves quality of life by reducing heart failure symptoms and improving blood flow to each organ in your body. But, you may need to carry LVAD components with you all the time, which may include batteries, the controller, and the driveline. But do you know that there is a solution for that, too? An LVAD apparel carries your device for you, so that you can move and participate in daily activities to have a good quality of life.

Myth: An LVAD cures your heart over time

Fact: It is true that LVAD is sometimes used to give your heart some time to recover. But it does not mean that it helps in curing the underlying cause of heart failure. LVAD simply assists your heart in pumping blood to improve circulation. So, LVAD is not a cure but a support you need for life.

Myth: LVAD patients cannot travel

Fact: While many of you think that it is almost impossible to travel with an LVAD, let me get this straight that it is absolutely wrong. We understand that when you need to carry your device all the time, you may think of it as another battle to fight instead of going out for fun. But, with proper planning and preparation, you can still travel safely with your LVAD. 

Myth: You cannot exercise while living with an LVAD

Fact: After the initial recovery from LVAD surgery, it is very important to participate in exercise, as it is a part of rehabilitation. Your doctor may recommend that you engage in light to moderate exercise at the start, which can be gradually increased according to your health. For easy movement during exercise, you can wear an LVAD Harness or an LVAD workout belt, which not only keeps your device safe but also gives you peace of mind. 

Myth: LVAD Patients cannot shower

Fact: After the incision site fully recovers, you can also take a shower with an LVAD. Yes, you heard it right. Showering may not be the same for you, but you can still maintain your hygiene with modified methods. You just need to get ready before the shower in a certain way to keep your device and yourself safe.

Myth: You need to carry a bag all the time for LVAD components

Fact: At the start, when LVAD was first introduced, there was no such thing as LVAD-specific clothing. But over time, LVADGear came into existence, which has designed LVAD products like LVAD tank tops, LVAD shirts, and LVAD bags with strategic pockets for batteries & the controller and secure accommodation for driveline. The apparel is designed only to provide you with the comfort you deserve and the support you need through your LVAD journey. 

Myth: You can’t look normal or wear regular clothes

Fact: LVADGear now has a range of collections that look exactly like your regular wear, so you don’t need to bear unwanted attention whenever you go outside. A discreet look in denim, leather, and mesh fabric has now made it easier to blend in with a crowd.

Myth: LVAD is only for a specific age group of patients

Fact: The LVAD device has been used in the adult population, usually in their 60s or 70s, but now, with medical advancement and individualized treatment plans, it has been giving good results even in people in their 80s.

Breaking Stigma: Living a Normal Life after LVAD

Many individuals with an LVAD find that this device becomes a part of their identity. Well, it is true that you need to carry this device all the time, but still, you have control over it. Living with an LVAD may not just require you to overcome physical limitations, but it also comes with different societal perceptions. However, you need to be clear that LVAD has improved your quality of life, which was otherwise compromised due to heart failure. 

By advocating for awareness and acceptance, we can help break down stigma. It’s important to remember that a device does not define a person; courage and resilience do, which allow each individual to live confidently. 

Final Remarks

You may have heard about different myths about living with an LVAD, but you need to learn about the facts so that you can make an informed decision. Living with an LVAD may not be the same, but with necessary modifications and embracing a new lifestyle, you can still have a good quality of life. Also, LVADGear has made your journey easier so that you can have peace of mind with the right support.

FAQs

What is it like to live with an LVAD?

At the start, you may face difficulty managing the device, as it is always connected to your body. But with time, you learn to manage and live life fully. 

What can't you do with an LVAD?

While you can perform most of the activities, there are some that you cannot participate in, such as swimming, using hot tubs, or engaging in contact sports with high-intensity activity, without your doctor’s approval.

What is the most common complication associated with the use of VADs?

The most common complications associated with the use of VADs are bleeding, infection, and stroke. 

Can you drive if you have an LVAD?

At the start, you may not be allowed to drive, as your chest is still recovering. But later, if your doctor allows, you may resume driving, but under certain conditions.