What should I do now?
Call 911
Call 911 for collapse, fainting with racing, chest pressure, severe trouble breathing, or repeated ICD shocks. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow the dispatcher's CPR/AED instructions.
Contact your care team
After one ICD shock with complete recovery, contact your device team promptly and follow your personal plan. Report recurrent racing or new symptoms.
Keep your care plan
Keep your treatment and follow-up plan. Bring questions, readings, and your medication list.
SECTION 5
Living with VT or VF
Many patients return to meaningful, active lives after treatment. Your long-term plan depends on what caused the rhythm, your heart’s condition, and the treatments you need.
Stay connected with your care team
Continue follow-up with your cardiologist and electrophysiologist (EP). Feeling better does not necessarily mean the underlying electrical problem has disappeared.
Take medications as prescribed and keep appointments for any recommended blood tests, EKGs, and heart imaging.
If you have an ICD
Your device team checks the battery, leads, settings, and stored rhythm recordings. Keep your remote monitor connected and follow instructions for sending transmissions.
Remote monitoring does not replace emergency care.
Carry your device identification card and tell healthcare professionals that you have an ICD before tests or procedures.
Returning to activity and driving
Ask your care team when you can resume exercise, work, sports, and driving. Restrictions depend on your rhythm, symptoms, treatment, and recovery.
After fainting, cardiac arrest, or an ICD shock, do not resume driving until your care team has reviewed the event and cleared you. Having an ICD does not automatically make driving safe.
What should you do after an ICD shock?
- One shock and you feel well afterward: Contact your device team promptly, preferably the same day, and follow your personal shock plan.
- Repeated shocks, or a shock with chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, or severe shortness of breath: Call 911. Do not drive yourself.
Your team reviews the device recording to determine what happened and whether medications, device settings, or ablation need to change.
Emotional recovery matters
Fear of another episode or shock is common. Tell your care team about anxiety, poor sleep, or difficulty returning to daily life. Counseling, support groups, and rehabilitation may help.
Your emotional recovery is part of your heart care.
Updated October 2026. Educational information; your own care plan may differ. Heart illustrations and EKG examples are simplified for teaching.