Why it's done

An ICD constantly monitors for abnormal heartbeats and instantly tries to correct them. It helps when your heart stops beating effectively (cardiac arrest), even when you're not near a hospital.

Your doctor may recommend an ICD if you've had signs or symptoms of certain abnormal heartbeats called sustained ventricular tachycardia, including fainting. It might also be recommended if you survived a cardiac arrest. Other reasons you may benefit from an ICD are:

• A history of coronary artery disease and heart attack that has weakened your heart
• An enlarged heart muscle
• A genetic heart condition that increases your risk of dangerously fast heart rhythms, such as some types of long QT syndrome
• Other rare conditions that may affect your heartbeat

Your doctor may recommend an S-ICD if you have structural defects in your heart that prevent attaching wires to the heart through your blood vessels, or if you want to avoid a traditional ICD.