Is your device beeping or vibrating right now?

Don’t panic. ICD sounds and alerts are rare and almost never an emergency. You do not need to go to A&E unless you feel unwell.

Note the time and the sound. Many alerts repeat at the same time each day, which is useful information for your clinic.
Move away from any strong magnetic source such as large speakers, induction hobs or security gates, in case a magnet is triggering it.
Contact your ICD clinic on the next working day, or straight away if you have had a shock or feel unwell.

Understanding the sounds your ICD makes and what they signify is essential in managing any anxieties about your device. Familiarising yourself with ICD sounds and alerts can provide peace of mind and ensure you respond appropriately if you ever hear them.

Many SCA survivors receive an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (and/or pacemaker) shortly after their event, and we all know that time can be a bit of a blur. You may have been lucky enough to get a full run-through of the device and its features. If you didn’t, the instruction guide covers a lot, but it can’t demonstrate the built-in alerting features, also known as patient notifiers.

Alerts vary depending on the manufacturer, the device and how it has been programmed. Some devices beep, some vibrate, some do both, and some make no alert at all. If you want to know exactly what yours does, ask at your next check-up and perhaps even request a demonstration.

Jump straight to your manufacturer:

Why is my ICD beeping?

There are five common reasons for ICD sounds and alerts. Each card below tells you what it means and what to do about it.

Contact your clinic soon

Low battery

As the battery approaches the end of its life, the device emits a periodic warning, usually at the same time each day. This typically begins 3 to 6 months before the battery is depleted, so there is plenty of time. Contact your ICD clinic so they can plan a generator replacement.

Contact your clinic as soon as possible

Device or lead fault

If the device detects a problem with itself or one of its leads, it will alert you. Contact your ICD clinic as soon as possible so they can investigate and take any remedial action.

Contact your clinic

After a therapeutic shock

Some devices beep after delivering therapy. Not everyone needs to see a doctor after a shock, but if your device is beeping afterwards, or you feel unwell or anxious, contact your ICD clinic. They can tell you more, including whether the shock was appropriate. Planning for a shock is always worth doing so you and your family know what to do should it happen.

Move away from the source

Magnetic field

A strong magnetic field can temporarily disable your device, and some ICDs sound a continuous tone while this is happening. Move away from the source promptly. The likelihood of needing your device to activate at that precise moment is extremely low, so don’t panic, but do remedy the situation quickly. If the alarm continues after you have moved away, contact your ICD clinic immediately.

Check your monitor

Home monitor not communicating

If your ICD has been unable to reach your home monitor for an extended period (often around two weeks, depending on programming), some devices will alert you. Check the monitor is plugged in and within range of where you sleep. For short holidays the general advice is to leave the monitor at home, but if you are away for longer, check with your ICD clinic first so you are not alarmed unnecessarily.

Alerts by manufacturer

Manufacturers aren’t always forthcoming about the sounds their devices make, but we have sourced recordings and details for the main brands below. Please be aware these are examples only: alerts can be programmed for each individual and vary from clinic to clinic and patient to patient. If you want to know exactly what your ICD sounds like, ask for a demonstration at your next clinic visit.

Medtronic

Audible

Medtronic devices use audible tones, and your clinic can programme which alerts are switched on. High, low and continuous tones each mean something different.

Solid, continuous tone = a magnet is affecting the device

Full guide: Medtronic ICD Sounds · Medtronic Heart Device Answers

SCA UK explainer

Medtronic official

Boston Scientific

Audible

16 tones, repeated every 6 hours until the alert is dealt with

Note: an MRI scan permanently disables the beeper on Boston Scientific devices. If this has happened to you, remote monitoring becomes especially important.

Abbott (formerly St Jude)

Vibratory

6-second vibration → 16 seconds of silence → 6-second vibration → 10 seconds of silence → pattern repeats

Historically Abbott devices have vibrated rather than beeped, but the newer Gallant models have introduced an audible alert facility.

Abbott — Cardiovascular Device Patient Support

Have a Gallant device? We don’t yet have a recording of its audible alert. If you can capture one, please get in touch and help other survivors know what to listen for.

Biotronik and Sorin/MicroPort

Silent

These devices do not emit patient alerts. Instead, they rely on remote monitoring to flag any issues directly to your clinic, so if you have one of these devices and hear a sound, it is coming from something else!

Heard a beep and still not sure?

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