After your ICD is fitted, your device clinic will set up a schedule of regular check-ups. These typically occur every six to twelve months, and more frequently in the first year after implant.
At each appointment, the clinician uses a handheld device called a programmer, held near the ICD, to communicate wirelessly with it. This allows them to check battery levels, review any stored heart rhythm data, adjust settings if needed, and confirm that the device is working as it should. The process is painless and usually takes no more than twenty minutes.
Many patients are also set up with remote monitoring, which allows the clinic to review device data between appointments without you needing to travel in. This does not replace in-person check-ups, but means that changes or concerns can be picked up more quickly. Ask your device clinic whether remote monitoring is available for your device.