Michael Bany

Michael Bany's physicians at Mayo Clinic strongly recommended he have an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD) implanted in his chest. Some 32-year-olds might have protested. Not Michael.

"I felt like my doctors knew exactly what they were doing. If they hadn't insisted that I needed the AICD, I might not be here now," says Michael.

An AICD is a small device, the size of a mini-cassette tape, that monitors heart rhythm and delivers electrical shocks when necessary to control abnormal, rapid heartbeats.

Michael needs the device because he has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited disease caused by gene mutations that cause the heart muscle to be unusually thick. His older brother also has the condition. Their father died from the condition at age 38. Neither Michael nor his brother had any symptoms — shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness — before their diagnosis.

"Michael and his brother were screened for this genetic disorder because we recommend it for all first-degree relatives of people who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy," says Steve Ommen, M.D., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist.

"Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause heart rhythm abnormalities, so our treatment goal is to relieve symptoms and prevent sudden death in those who are at high risk," says Dr. Ommen. "AICDs are effective at maintaining a normal heart rhythm in some high-risk patients. We recommended both Michael and his brother have AICDs implanted."

Three months after Michael's AICD was implanted, it may have saved his life. While he was sleeping, his heart rate soared to more than 300 beats per minute (70 beats per minute is normal for an adult). Michael slept through the incident, unaware.

At a checkup several months later, Dr. Ommen retrieved data from Michael's AICD and told him about the incident.

"The AICD records and saves information about any electrical therapy events the person has," says Dr. Ommen. "We're pleased the device performed as planned and that Michael's well-being wasn't affected."

Michael feels fortunate to have the AICD helping him stay well.

"I want to be around for my daughters — Madeline, 11, and Molly, 6 months — and my wife, Brenda. If treatment like I've had at Mayo Clinic had been available when my dad was diagnosed, he might still be around," says Michael. "I know my condition could worsen, so I am much more aware of my health and try to live healthy. I've been very pleased with my treatment at Mayo. I continue to have my checkups at Mayo Clinic because of the confidence I have in the care they provide."