FAQ

Your heart device monitors your heart rhythm and delivers therapy wherever you are in the world. There are no specific restrictions on travelling abroad with an ICD, though there are some practical considerations to plan for.

Take your device ID card with you at all times. This identifies your device to medical staff if you need treatment abroad and helps at airport security. Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers your cardiac condition. Let your ICD clinic know you are travelling, particularly if you are going for an extended period, as remote monitoring may need to be adjusted for a different time zone or if you will be away from your base station.

If you need medical attention abroad, inform the treating team that you have an ICD and carry the manufacturer contact details with you. In an emergency, they can provide technical support to local clinicians.

Aviation transponder receivers are used to track the location of an aircraft. They are designed to receive signals only from aircraft transponders and pose no threat to your ICD.

Cosmic rays consist of high-energy radiation that strikes the earth from space. Most of these flares and rays are absorbed in the atmosphere and are unlikely to affect an ICD once they reach the ground.

There are no risks from using a heated car seat because there is at least 6 inches between the seat’s electrical components and your ICD. So continue to enjoy this small luxury during the winter months.

Using a vibrator poses no risks. Just make sure the vibrator is in good working condition and has no electrical problems.

A momentary shock will not permanently damage your ICD. A memorable (longer) shock may cause some ICD settings to be reset to nominal values. Your doctor can restore your individual settings in the clinic.

No inappropriate interactions between ICDs and hybrid vehicles have been reported, so it’s a low risk.

Yes. Taking a cruise is safe with an ICD. The ship’s radar equipment is located well away from passenger areas and is very unlikely to interfere with your device.

Before travelling, make sure you carry your device ID card at all times, as it contains important information about your device and may be needed at port security. It is also worth contacting your travel insurer to confirm your cover — see our FAQ on travel insurance for more information. Let your device clinic know you are travelling so they can advise on remote monitoring arrangements if needed.

Skiing will not interfere with your ICD. Whether you are able to ski depends on your overall medical condition and your cardiologist’s guidance, not the device itself.

Most people return to skiing and other physical activities after a full recovery from ICD implantation. Discuss any concerns with your cardiologist before you travel, particularly if you have an exercise-triggered condition, or if high altitude is relevant to your heart condition.

Yes. Riding on a train or tram poses a very low risk of interference with an ICD. However, we recommend talking to your cardiologist before your journey up the mountain, as there are lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.

No. Not only is your ICD built to withstand stress, but your body temperature stays fairly constant as well.

Exposure to pressures greater than 4 ATA is not recommended. That means diving no deeper than about 100 feet or 30 meters in seawater. Talk to your doctor about that and about any other concerns with scuba diving and your heart condition.

Skydiving is one of the few activities where the answer is more cautious than a straightforward yes. Most cardiologists advise against it for people with an ICD, and it’s worth understanding why before making any decision.

The main concerns are:

Physical impact on landing. Even with good technique, landing places sudden mechanical stress on the body. If your leads haven’t fully settled, or if there’s any risk of the ICD shifting, this is a genuine consideration.

Altitude. Modern ICDs are tested to function at altitude, but freefall from standard jump heights (3,000-4,000m) involves rapid pressure change. Whilst this is unlikely to affect device function, it has not been formally studied in clinical settings.

Emergency access. If your ICD delivers a shock during freefall, you’ll be at altitude and potentially incapacitated. Immediate medical response would not be possible.

That said, “not advisable” isn’t the same as “absolutely prohibited.” Your specific situation (device type, underlying condition, and how well your arrhythmia is controlled) matters significantly. Any decision should be made directly with your cardiologist, and it’s also worth contacting your device manufacturer about altitude tolerance for your specific model.

For broader guidance on returning to physical activity after a cardiac arrest, visit our Exercise After Cardiac Arrest page.

Always discuss extreme sports with your cardiologist before going ahead.

It’s important for any healthcare provider you see to know about your implanted devices, as well as the medical conditions that relate to them. It’s simply in your best interest. Lots of people find their ID card to be a good icebreaker when starting a conversation with a new doctor, clinician, or dentist.

Wireless modems and routers are safe to use as long as you keep them at least 6 inches away from your ICD.

Yes, you can use mobile phones. However, mobile phones may cause electrical interference with your heart device when the phone is turned on and held too close to your heart device. Also, some accessories for mobile phones contain magnets that may cause interference, such as earbuds or cases with magnetic clasps. Any effect is temporary, and simply moving the phone or accessory away will return the heart device to its previous state of operation.

Definitely. Just keep them 6 inches away from your ICD.

Welding with currents above 160 amps may temporarily affect normal ICD function. Check with your doctor. They might not know much about welding, but they can talk to you about interference with your ICD. Note: Aprons or vests will not effectively shield the ICD from the electromagnetic energy generated by welding equipment. Follow these safety precautions to avoid interference:

Get your yard maintenance on. It’s fine to use a powered lawnmower as long as you keep some distance between the running mower and your ICD. For electric motors, stay 6 inches away. If you’re using a gas-powered mower, keep the ignition (spark plug area) at least a foot away from your heart device.

Always carry your heart device ID card. This card is helpful if your heart device sets off a metal detector or a security system.

Wherever you travel, your heart device monitors your heart and provides therapy whenever it is needed. You can travel knowing that support for your heart device is available around the world. Your doctor may also be able to check your heart device remotely, so it may be a good idea to let your doctor know when and where you will be traveling.