For most people, life with an ICD is largely unchanged, with some practical adjustments. The ICD monitors your heart rhythm continuously and will deliver a shock if it detects a dangerous rhythm. Most of the time you will not be aware it is there.
There are a few areas to be aware of. Driving is restricted initially, and the rules depend on several factors including the type of rhythm that caused your arrest. Certain sources of strong electromagnetic fields can interfere with an ICD, though the risk in everyday life is low. Some sports, particularly contact sports, need review with your clinical team. Your cardiologist or cardiac nurse specialist will go through the specifics with you.
What many survivors find hardest is the psychological adjustment: knowing that a device is watching your heart, and wondering what it means if it activates. Many ICD recipients describe an initial period of anxiety that eases considerably with time. Our site has detailed information on living with an ICD, and our community includes thousands of ICD recipients, many of whom have been living with one for years and are happy to share their experience.