What do Abbott (formerly St Jude) ICD alerts mean?
Abbott ICDs (formerly St Jude Medical) have traditionally alerted you by vibration rather than sound. A typical pattern is a six-second vibration, then sixteen seconds of silence, then a further six-second vibration, then ten seconds of silence, after which the pattern repeats.
Historically, many Abbott devices had no patient alert at all. The newer Gallant models have added an audible alert facility, so a Gallant device may beep as well as vibrate.
If you feel an unexpected vibration from your device, contact your ICD clinic, and ask for a demonstration at your next appointment. Our ICD sounds and alerts page explains the alerts by manufacturer.
Category: Implantable DevicesWhat do Boston Scientific ICD alert sounds mean?
Boston Scientific ICDs use audible alert tones. A typical alert is a set of sixteen tones that repeats roughly every six hours until the device is checked.
It is worth knowing that having an MRI scan permanently disables the beeper on these devices. If that applies to you, your clinic will usually recommend relying on remote monitoring so that alerts are still picked up.
If you hear an alert, contact your ICD clinic. To hear what your device sounds like, ask for a demonstration at a clinic visit. Our ICD sounds and alerts page has more detail.
Category: Living With an ICDWhat do Medtronic ICD alert sounds mean?
Medtronic ICDs can alert you with both audible tones and vibration. A common pattern is a six-second vibration, then sixteen seconds of silence, then a further six-second vibration, then ten seconds of silence, after which the pattern repeats.
A solid, continuous tone is the magnet alert tone, which you may hear when a magnet is placed over the device. These tones are programmable, so your clinic can adjust them or switch them off, and your own device may sound different.
If you hear an alert, contact your ICD clinic. To hear exactly what your device sounds like, ask for a demonstration at your next appointment. Our ICD sounds and alerts page has example recordings.
Category: Implantable DevicesDo all ICDs make sounds, or does every ICD beep?
No. Whether your ICD makes a sound depends on the manufacturer, the model, and how it has been programmed. Some devices beep, some vibrate, some do both, and some make no patient alert at all.
For example, Medtronic devices use audible tones and vibration, Boston Scientific devices use audible tones, and Abbott devices have historically used vibration, with audible alerts on the newer Gallant models. Biotronik and Sorin/Microport devices do not emit patient alerts and rely on remote monitoring instead.
If you are not sure what your device does, ask for a demonstration at your next clinic appointment. Our ICD sounds and alerts page lists the alerts by manufacturer.
Category: Implantable DevicesWhat does a low-battery alert from my ICD mean?
A low-battery alert means your ICD’s battery is approaching the end of its life. The device emits a warning sound periodically, usually at the same time of day, so you may notice it as a regular daily beep.
This warning typically begins three to six months before the battery is depleted, so it is not an emergency. Contact your ICD clinic so they can check the device and plan a replacement, known as a generator or box change.
Our ICD sounds and alerts page explains the common alert types in more detail.
Category: Implantable DevicesWhy is my ICD beeping?
Patient alerts are rare and your ICD is usually silent, so a beep or vibration means the device wants to draw your attention to something.
The common reasons are a low battery, a fault with the device or a lead, a therapeutic shock having been delivered, a magnetic field interfering with the device, or the device being unable to reach your home monitor for a prolonged period.
You do not need to attend A&E for an alert unless you feel unwell. Contact your ICD clinic as soon as you can so they can check what triggered it. If you have also received a shock or feel unwell, treat it as urgent and seek help straight away.
Our ICD sounds and alerts page explains each alert type in more detail.
Category: Implantable DevicesWhat do the alerts in my ICD sound like?
ICD alert sounds vary by manufacturer and device model. Your device clinic will explain what the specific alerts on your device mean, as these are set individually based on your programmed thresholds. In general, a beeping tone draws your attention to something the clinic needs to know about, such as a change in battery level, a sensed arrhythmia, or the delivery of a therapy.
The alert will typically repeat at intervals until your clinic reviews the device and adjusts the alert settings. If you hear a beeping tone from your ICD, contact your device clinic as soon as possible. If you have also felt unwell or received a shock, go to A&E.
Our ICD sounds and alerts page explains the common alert types in more detail.
Category: Implantable Devices