Frequently Asked Questions

If you or a loved one will have a defibrillator implanted, you might have many questions about the process or about the machine itself.

Is there anything I should avoid?
Yes, doctors recommend avoiding anything that creates a powerful magnetic field. By powerful, I mean the sort of magnet junkyards use to pick up and move old cars, or the sort found in very large, powerful speakers. You should also avoid MRI machines and the magnetic field generated by a car ignition.

Can I go near a microwave?
Yes, you absolutely can. When inner defibrillators were first used near early or old-style microwave ovens, they had a very bad reaction. With that in mind, scientists developed inner defibrillators that respond differently to microwaves, and now the danger has passed.

What powers the defibrillator?
The power comes from a battery that is placed inside the defibrillator. This battery is designed to last for five years or more, so you do not have to worry about the battery suddenly going out without warning. When you visit the clinic to see a cardiologist, they will do a device check-up. A check-up will show when it is time to consider changing the battery long before the patient is in any danger.

Where is the defibrillator going to be placed?
The procedure is not an open heart procedure, and the inner defibrillator will not be placed in the heart. Rather, it’ll be placed above or to the side of the heart. It will not be in the way of a regular, healthy life, though you will be able to see the device beneath the skin and feel the edges of it.

Related Information

How to use Cardiac Defibrillator
Read the frequently asked questions about heart defibrillators.

Emergency Medicine
These basic frequently asked questions will help you learn about heart defibrillators.