A patient with a history of heart attack and severe coronary artery diseases, abnormally enlarged heart muscle, or patients with a genetic heart condition is recommended to get a pacemaker or an Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

• If you are having an ICD implant, you will have to fast for 8 hours before the surgery is done.

• Convey any medications that you are taking or if you are allergic to any medicine to your doctor.

• The doctors will run a few diagnostic tests and blood tests to check your overall health status

• Insertion of the pacemaker will require smaller incisions than implanting an ICD. ICD is divided into two types- A subcutaneous ICD and a traditional ICD. 

• You will likely remain awake during the insertion of a pacemaker with the use of local anesthesia and a sheath will be inserted in a blood vessel to pass the pacemaker to the correct place.

• To insert an ICD, you might be given general anesthesia and the ICD will be slipped under the skin below the collarbone through an incision. The ICD will be set according to your heart beating conditions.

• It is necessary to spend at least one night at the hospital after the surgery is done.

• You will be asked to avoid lifting your arm below which the ICD is placed for about 8 weeks.

• Your doctor will advise you to shorten your physical and strenuous activities for around 4 weeks as it may dislocate the ICD.

• You will be able to return to your daily activities and continue your usual diet in a short period of time as instructed by the doctors. 

• Some long terms precautions should be taken after the insertion of an ICD like-

  • Maintain a distance of ICD from your cellphone.

  • If you are around power generators, maintain a safe distance of 2 feet.

  • Headphones, wireless chargers, magnets can affect your ICD, hence keep them at least 6 inches away from your ICD.