LVAD Gear History – Choose LVAD Gear USA Made From the Heart

With the increasing innovations of technology, life has become easier, but you also need to modify your lifestyle accordingly to get the most benefit out of it. Otherwise, it may further complicate your daily life. LVAD or Left Ventricular Assistive Device is another medical technology that helps patients with end-stage heart disease or who need to go for a heart transplant in a few months. After LVAD, there was a need for proper clothing, and that’s how LVAD Gear's history was made. Before getting into LVAD apparel, let’s discuss what an LVAD is and who needs it. 

What is an LVAD?

An LVAD, or Left Ventricular Assistive Device, is a mechanical pump that supports the function of the heart when your heart becomes weak due to heart failure or some other heart disease. Your doctor implants an LVAD into your heart through a surgical procedure. LVAD improves the circulation of blood throughout the body, which is otherwise compromised due to the heart condition. The purpose of using an LVAD can vary from patient to patient. Some may need it as a bridge to transplant, a bridge to recovery, or destination therapy for patients not eligible for a transplant. 

Who Needs an LVAD?

Patients with end-stage heart failure who can no longer be treated with medications and supportive treatment may be eligible for an LVAD. Your doctor decides when to perform the surgery and why you need it to categorize your need for an LVAD. This includes:

• People who are waiting for a heart transplant
• Patients who are not suitable for transplant but need long-term support due to a weak heart
• Individuals who are recovering from temporary heart conditions

LVAD has improved the lives of many patients and helped them regain strength, mobility, and a more active lifestyle. For more understanding, we have another guide for you: Beginner’s guide to LVAD.

Understand LVAD components:

An LVAD device has both internal and external components. Internal component, an LVAD pump is implanted in your heart, and external components remain outside the body, which may include a controller, batteries, and a driveline that exits the body to connect the internal pump to the controller.  Now, the parts that remain outside need to be secured, protected, and accessible at all times. Without the right clothing, patients face risks like accidental tugging on the driveline, battery disconnections, overheating, or discomfort. That is why LVAD Gear is essential. It is specifically designed to support and safely hold all components without any restriction of movement. You can stay comfortable and live more confidently every day with LVAD Gear.

LVAD Gear History:

The idea behind LVAD Gear was born from compassion and necessity. Caregivers and patients were struggling to use regular clothing to keep their LVAD components. That is when Brent LeMay, a recipient of LVAD himself, saw the urgent need for functional, safe, and comfortable clothing made specifically for LVAD users. He understood the need for an apparel that can be a perfect solution to his problems and others like him. His professional mission was to help others live better with an LVAD. 

Brent LeMay Vision:

Brent Lemay is a person who was born with a genetic heart defect. Due to this reason, he had to face difficult situations, and one of these was the low quality of life. He had 3 episodes of a heart attack, due to which his heart became very weak. After that, his doctor gave him the option of either relying on IV drugs with a limited life expectancy or going for an LVAD implantation until he gets a new, healthy heart. Luckily, he chose to go for the second option. His doctor guides him about the components, including the pump, driveline, and batteries.

After the surgery, the LVAD has to be on Brent’s body to keep supporting his heart functioning. It was when he realized he needed to do something. He understood the need and started making LVAD-specific clothes that could support his LVAD without fearing the tugging of the driveline. It is when he started LVADGear. Even though he got a new heart through a transplant procedure, he is dedicating his business to the people with LVADs. 

Brent Lemay, the founder and inventor of LVAD Gear, created the brand out of real-life experience to support patients with LVAD. He noticed the lack of practical clothing options for patients, and his personal experience inspired him to design garments that have all the safety, comfort, and style. His vision led to a full product line of LVAD apparel in the USA.

Why Do You Need LVAD Gear?

Living with an LVAD means you have to manage the sensitive external components of the LVAD daily, including the controller and batteries, all connected to the internal pump via a driveline. Your regular clothing does not provide the support and protection, and for this reason, you need an LVAD Gear. 

LVAD Gear is custom-designed to:

• Safely and securely carry your LVAD controller and batteries
• Conceal the driveline and reduce the risk of tugging
• Provide breathable and loose-fit clothing without irritation
• Help you move confidently and comfortably without worrying about the device

How Can You Move Your Body After Having an LVAD?

Clothing for LVAD patients is not just to support your devices, but to make you independent in your movements. Yes, you can perform physical activity according to the recommendations of your doctor and physical therapist. It is, in fact, a part of cardiac rehabilitation after LVAD surgery. Staying active improves circulation, lung function, and mental health. Here are some of the tips for you to move safely and freely:

• Start with light walking and increase your physical activity gradually as you gain strength.
• Use LVAD Gear to secure your equipment and prevent tugging during movement.
• You should avoid contact sports, bending at the waist, or heavy lifting, especially during an early recovery phase.
• Perform stretching techniques to maintain your mobility and flexibility
• Always keep a backup with you, which means you should have an extra pair of batteries and controller with you all the time, and also during exercise.

How Can You Travel After Having an LVAD? Important Tips

Having supportive clothing that can protect your equipment is one of the initial steps to make your life easy by managing the device effectively, especially during everyday activities, sleep, and travel. Traveling with an LVAD is completely doable, but you need to make some preparations to avoid any inconvenience. Whether you are going on a road trip or flying across the country, here is how to stay safe:

• Confirm your health status with your doctor before making a plan for travelling

   

• Pack extra batteries and a backup controller wherever you go
• Use LVAD Gear clothing, such as an LVAD shirt, LVAD vest, and LVAD bags, to carry equipment securely.
• Contact your airline in advance for security and battery clearance
• Bring a travel letter from your LVAD team explaining your device
• Identify the nearest hospital to your travel destination
• You need to avoid magnetic fields because they can interfere with the functioning of your LVAD pump. Avoid screening devices with magnetic fields.

Why LVADGear is a Leading Choice in the USA?

LVADGear can significantly improve your quality of life after having an LVAD. Here is a list of benefits you can have with LVAD-specific clothing or LVAD apparel: 

• You will have comfort with breathable, loose-fitting fabric that reduces irritation.
• LVADGear provides apparel according to the type of device, i.e., HeartWare and LVAD Heartmate 3 clothing.
• It has secured and concealed pathways to protect the driveline. 
• It helps to lower your back pain by balancing the weight of the batteries and the controller. 
• You can have freedom of walking, travelling, or sleeping without worrying about the device.
• You can maintain your style by choosing designs that also allow you to wear LVAD components.
• It makes dressing, changing batteries, and monitoring easier, which is also convenient for caregivers and doctors for inspection.

Final Thoughts:

LVAD Gear was created to help people living with an LVAD. This special clothing is designed to keep their LVAD components safe and secure, making life easier and more comfortable. Whether you are moving through recovery, planning a trip, or just looking for everyday comfort, LVADGear provides both comfort and protection of the device.