Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a decision about getting an ICD or not? Isn’t it just up to my doctor?

An ICD is placed to prevent a possible rare event, called sudden cardiac death. Since most people who have an ICD placed will not require treatment from the device, and there are potential harms, this is a decision that is based on both medical evidence and your preferences.

Deciding whether or not to have an ICD should be made together with you care team. You should think about:

• Your goals and preferences for treatment
• Your heart condition and the chance of having a dangerous heart rhythm that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest
• The possible harms and benefits of an ICD

In some cases, an ICD might be placed in an urgent situation. In these cases, there may not be time to think about the decision. While some people feel relieved, others say they feel like didn’t really have a choice. Talk with your care team about your feelings too.

Are there ways to tell if I am at higher or lower risk for having a sudden cardiac arrest?

There is emerging research that shows certain genetic tests or ECG findings can give useful information about whether you are more or less likely to have a sudden cardiac arrest.

Who puts in the ICD?

Most ICDs are put in by a type of cardiologist who specializes in heart rhythms called an electrophysiologist. Less often, a heart surgeon may do it.

What should I know about living with an ICD?

Here are a few tips:

• Keep your ICD identification card with you.
• Know what devices you might need to keep a distance from or avoid.
• Be sure all your health care providers know about your ICD so that adjustments can be made, if needed, to procedures and imaging tests.
• Talk with other people with your heart condition who have one.

More Information: Living With an ICD - 10 Tips

I’ve heard certain things can interfere with my ICD. Is that true?

Yes, some technologies and devices can interfere with your ICD and may affect how it works. It can differ based on your specific. ICD. You can call customer service for the maker of your device and ask them to go over what precautions you might need to take. Your cardiology care team can help too.

Many of the newer ICDs have helped to address earlier concerns about whether someone could safely have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, go through security checkpoints, or be near a microwave.

How often will I get shocked?

It’s hard to know. Research has shown that over five years, about 20 out of every 100 patients get shocked by their ICDs.

Most shocks happen because of dangerous heart rhythms. Sometimes a shock can be delivered when it’s not needed – these are called inappropriate shocks, a false alarm in a sense.  

What does a shock feel like?

It is different for everyone. It can be scary or painful to receive a shock. Sometimes the worry about what it might feel like before you’ve ever had a shock can be the hardest part. And not everyone with an ICD gets shocked.

Some common reports include:

• Getting a hard, forceful kick in the chest
• Feeling pressure or an electrical current though the chest like a lightning bolt or that feels very warm

Some people pass out before they get shocked and, therefore, don’t feel it.

How is an ICD different from a pacemaker?

An ICD is different from a pacemaker. A pacemaker helps the heart beat at a regular

pace, but it does not give a shock to correct an abnormal heart rhythm like an ICD. Most ICDs have the ability to work like a pacemaker if needed.

Talk with your doctor about the differences between these devices if you have more questions.

Can I get pregnant if I have an ICD?

Having an ICD itself does not mean you cannot get pregnant. However, your heart condition may make decisions around pregnancy more challenging. Pregnancy may be possible, but you will likely need closer monitoring depending on your heart condition. Talk with your doctor about your hopes for having children.

Can my ICD be turned off?

Yes. It is possible to turn off the ICD without surgery. This is even recommended when a person is close to dying of another cause. It is possible to keep the pacemaker turned on. Talk about this with your doctor.

Why would I want to turn off my ICD?

In the future, people may reach a point where living as long as possible is not what they want anymore. This could be because of worsening heart failure or another illness. When this happens, the ICD can be turned off to avoid shocks.

Can an ICD be taken out?

It is best not to remove the ICD unless you have an infection or are having the ICD replaced.

How will I know if there is a recall?

In doing research about ICDs, you may have read that some have be recalled. As with any technology, a recall may be needed to fix the device or part of it. These don’t happen often. Your heart center and the companies that make the ICD keep close track of who has what device.