WHY DO I NEED AN IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR (ICD)?
Your doctor recommended that you get an ICD because you are at risk of life threatening arrythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). If not treated immediately SCA can be fatal. Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, although the two are often confused:
SCA results from an electrical malfunction of the heart that causes the heart to stop beating whereas a heart attack results from the blockage in a vessel that supplies blood to the heart muscle, which may permanently damage part of the heart.
Watch
What people say about living with an ICD
Watch Ciara discuss how getting an ICD not only improved her symptoms but also saved her life.
Watch
How an ICD
Is Implanted
Watch the animation to learn more about ICDs and how they are implanted.
LIVING WITH AN ICD
As long as your doctor has no objections, you can resume all the activities you enjoyed before getting your ICD.
Most people adjust rapidly to their ICD. Once the wound has completely healed, there is no problem with taking walks, working in the garden, playing sports or bathing.
There are some precautions for people living with an ICD like keeping a distance of 15 cm between your device and your smartphone or items containing magnets for example.
You may have a lot of questions about living with your device and we hope to provide useful answers in the patient brochure.
download the discussion guide
You can use the discussion guide to help ask questions to your doctor about getting an ICD
download guidelearn more about ICD DEVICES for fast heartbeats (tachycardia)
learn more
travel
with
confidence
If you are travelling, you can find a clinic that can help you if needed
find a clinicSpeak with your family and friends about the ICD as it can make you feel more secure.
Support groups and associations can be of valuable assistance as well.
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Medtronic is a global leader in medical technology, employing more than 85,000 people worldwide. We serve physicians, hospitals and patients in nearly 160 countries. We have been helping cardiac patients for over 60 years.