We just had our first power outage.

Hi,

Not knowing exactly what type, I would tell you to contact your LVAD team to review the time frame. My husband has a heartmate 2, and , if I understand, the power module has 30 min back up battery power. You should hook up to the batteries if you are connected to machine. Our batteries last 10-12 hours. So the main thing is to make sure to keep the battery charger plugged in. Maybe a neighbor or the emergency dept at the hospital could assist since they have generators. But first, you need to contact the hospital he had the device implanted to review emergency power outages. And yes it is scarey. And you are right, you loose your cool when you hear the alarms!!

Hi,

I have a Heartware LVAD and 4 batteries are charging at all times plus 2 are in my carry bag. Each of my batteries lasts for approx. 6 hours for a total of 36 hours.. Hospitals have backup generators and you should check with your local hospital, especially if you travel a long distance to the hospital that did the implant. I am an hour away from the hospital that implanted my LVAD. My electric company was notified before I left the hospital last year to never turn off my power, as long as it is under their control. I accidentally unplugged both batteries while in the hospital recently and yes those alarms are very loud and frightening. I passed out while trying to reconnect, but luckily the alarms, while scary, are very loud and alerted the nurses who reconnected my batteries.

Hi Peggy, welcome to a scary side of town. First off keeping you batteries in the charger will give you and hubby the peace of mind that your always ready for the worst. And yes we all forget to put us batteries where they belong from time to time. You should have the 12 hr. back up next to the charger knowing where everything is makes life easer. And I do mean everything ,batteries charger, 12 back up, list of meds in the bag one in your purse one in the wallet. A 2 wheeled luggage cart just in case. Always have clothes wallet keys in the same place where you can see them from bed. Many fire departments have back up generators on hand for people like us. Just knowing that everything is in place makes it more peaceful. As far as the 30 min built in back up I really don't trust it, but that's me.

Next point is ALWAYS keep the batteries clean!!!! The biggest problem is dirty contacts Alarms going off really mess with your nerves yes things will go wrong but you can get thru it. Just for laughs I'm on my 3 control mod. I can't stand smoke alarms and the ovens at subway sandwich shop sound really close to lvad alarms I don't go there anymore. For me my daughters and grand babies give me the will to go on and the love of Jesus give me the strength and faith to live. Just for the record I have been baptized with my lvad scared the snot out of a lot of people at church it was great!! The best to you two and my prayers for everyone ..Ken