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Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) device support

Daily activities

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Getting back to daily life

Your CRT device is designed to help your heart beat more efficiently and monitor your condition so you can lead a full and active life. You can find some general tips about resuming normal activities after your implant procedure below. But be sure to talk to your doctor about what’s right for your specific situation.

Exercise and sports

Your doctor may ask you to avoid strenuous activity, especially upper body activity, for a few months after your CRT procedure to give you time to heal. After that, you will probably be able to do most of the things you did before your implant. But your underlying heart condition will factor into the type and amount of exercise you can do. 

Your doctor may recommend an exercise test to check the settings on your CRT device for the heart rate you achieve during activity. With the information from an exercise test, you’ll have a better understanding of what physical activity and exercise levels you can reach.

Sexual activity

It’s common to be concerned about whether it’s safe to resume sexual intimacy after receiving a CRT-D or CRT-P implant. For most people with a CRT device, sexual activity is not a medical risk. This is because the natural heart rate increase that occurs during sex is the same as the heart rate increase when you exercise.

Your doctor has programmed your device to meet your needs and provide a shock if necessary. If you do receive a shock during sex, your partner may feel a tingling sensation. However, the shock will not harm your partner. Be sure to let your doctor know if you receive a shock during sex so they can reprogram your CRT device if necessary.

Talk to your doctor

Every patient’s situation is unique. So it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to safely resume normal activities after receiving a CRT device.

We’re here to help

Our patient services team is happy to help answer all of your questions about living with your device.

(866) 484-3268

Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Central

Email us


Implantable Devices
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices
Important Safety Information

Cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers (CRT-P) and defibrillators (CRT-D) are designed to treat heart failure patients who may or may not have symptoms or who may have symptoms despite the best available drug therapy. They are also designed to help your heart pump more effectively and meet your body’s need for blood flow. These devices are sensitive to strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) and can be affected by certain sources of electric or magnetic fields. Some of the risks encountered during the implant procedure include, but are not limited to, the following: Bleeding, formation of a blood clot, damage to adjacent structures (tendons, muscles, nerves), puncture of a lung or vein, damage to the heart (perforation or tissue damage), dangerous arrhythmias, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, death. Some of the risks encountered after the ICD system is implanted may include, but are not limited to, the following: Infection, erosion of the skin near your device, lead(s) may move out of place in the heart, device may move from the original implant site, difficulty coping with having an implanted device. The device might be prevented from shocking or pacing due to electromagnetic interference. Electrodes on the lead or the pacing pulses may cause an irritation or damaging effect on the surrounding tissues, including heart tissue and nerves. You may receive a shock or pacing therapy when it is not needed (unnecessary therapy). The device might not be able to detect or appropriately treat your heart rhythms. The device may exhibit malfunctions that may result in lost or compromised ability to deliver therapy. You may experience some discomfort from the incision as you recover from the surgery. With all medical procedures there are risks associated. In rare cases device failure or death can occur. Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of this system. To obtain a copy of the device Patient Handbook for more detailed device safety information, go to www.bostonscientific.com, or you can request a copy by calling 1-866-484-3268 or writing to Boston Scientific, 4100 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55112. Rx only

Device Quality and Reliability

It is Boston Scientific’s intent to provide implantable devices of high quality and reliability. However, these devices may exhibit malfunctions that may result in lost or compromised ability to deliver therapy. Refer to Boston Scientific’s CRM product performance report on www.bostonscientific.com for more information about device performance, including the types and rates of malfunctions that these devices have experienced historically. While historical data may not be predictive of future device performance, such data can provide important context for understanding the overall reliability of these types of products. Also, it is important that you talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of a device. 

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