Why do I need an ICD?
Your doctor may recommend an ICD if you or your child is at risk of a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia because of having:
- Had a ventricular arrhythmia
- Had a heart attack
- Survived a sudden cardiac arrest
- Long QT syndrome
- Brugada syndrome
- A congenital heart disease or other underlying conditions for sudden cardiac arrest
How does an ICD work?
It knows when the heartbeat is not regular and tries to return the heartbeat to normal.
- If your ICD has a pacemaker feature when your heartbeat is too slow, it works as a pacemaker and sends tiny electric signals to your heart.
- When your heartbeat is too fast, it gives defibrillation shocks to stop the abnormal rhythm.
- It works 24 hours a day.
Click here to read the differences between defibrillators and pacemakers.
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