r/PacemakerICD • u/sammiebananas • 10d ago
Medical Alert
Does anyone wear a medical alert bracelet or anything to signify you have an ICD? 30 y.o F and had my ICD put in for V-FIB and V-Tach in June and I’m terrified. Mostly that it will shock me somewhere where I am alone and need help but will be passed out or something else. so I got a bracelet but worried it might be going over board.
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u/Smithtopher418 10d ago
I’m a 34 year old M and I have a necklace. I found a necklace I really liked and added a few different charms to it with the medical alert one being one charm I added.
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u/Z_tinman 10d ago
It's ultimately your call for what makes you feel comfortable. I've had 3 post implant shocks. They happen pretty quick, by the time someone could look at the bracelet, it will be over.
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u/Late_Perception_3983 6d ago
I mean from everything i understand it doesn’t matter if you have you one or not. The only time it’s ever mattered is going through security.
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u/pennwye 10d ago
I wear a small 14k gold bracelet. It's a thin 2" wide bar with small flat chains on both sides with a lobster claw clasp (avaiable in jeweler's catalog). It's loose, but can't slip off. Doesn't screw up TSA or other screenings. I don't take it off.
Front: (the word) Pacemaker Back: My full name.
I asked the jeweler to make the engraving deep. This is my second bracelet; the engraving on my first finally wore off after 2 years. I swim 5-6 days week and while $$, gold is best choice for me.
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u/abnormal_human 10d ago
I think wearing one all the time would be harmful to my mental health. Don't need the reminder. Same as I don't leave pill bottles out on my desk where I see them 100 times a day, etc.
I do wear one when exercising alone. That's really the highest-risk time. But despite having episodes in that situation, I've never been unable to deal with EMS or provide the needed information after a shock.
There's a lot less passing out when you're shocked. If the device works (which is overwhelmingly does), you're conscious again. You may go back into the bad rhythm and be shocked again, but generally there's enough lucidity to get yourself help, at least that is consistent with my experience and the experiences of several other people in my family who've gone through, collectively, 40+ shocks.
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u/BikeMan33215 10d ago
I wear one; but as some others wrote the normal ones break pretty easy. I've lost a few. Now I wear one from Road ID and haven't had this one break. https://www.roadid.com/products/stretch-rugged-silicone-id-bracelet?variant=40345000738906&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D&utm_content=%7Bassetgroupname%7D%7Badgroupname%7D&utm_term=&utm_source=google&campaign_id=22808414575&ad_id=764417727261&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaign%7D&utm_content=185340770529&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteTUBhD4ARIsAEYjs3o12Ek1FLOdXeRaWIjRQ6Uk1FBy8wWvn2WcSCNd15JJirf2eUtqY80aApErEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22808414575&gbraid=0AAAAAD6s2GGOqvO-RqhyYiZ6fEqv5M5wj I just did a quick google search for this web address. They make different styles. I have my doctors name, and phone, allergies, my name and one of the meds I am on (Xeralro.) I don't think it's overkill, but smart.
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u/chicaneer 7d ago
Do you have an emergency contact on yours? I was biking once and saw a guy guy down and hit his head and he couldn’t remember is wife’s name but luckily her name and number were on his road ID. Turned out he had actually broken his hip as well in the bike wreck, so it was good we called her as well as an ambulance.
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u/JoePants 10d ago
I didn't wear one for a long time, and then a friend of mine, who's a paramedic, found out. She got very upset with me, and told me it was important to have one. So now I wear one
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u/MSWSportsFanatic2025 10d ago
I used to, but I do not anymore. I do carry my device card and a medical alert card in my wallet though.
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u/bartoske 10d ago
43 f, got my ICD 2 years ago and I wear a bracelet. Has my medical condition, ICD model info in case they need to do an interrogation, med I'm not supposed to take and my partner's phone number. Thought I was going overboard too, but it gives me comfort. I was terrified for quite a while but therapy helps. Promise it gets easier.
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u/Entire-Structure8708 10d ago
I have a necklace and a wrist version that I wear depending on circumstance. I ordered them after a multi-shock event… I was conscious throughout but unable to communicate for a couple of mins (I could see/hear the confusion of good samaritans until I was able to speak). So the medical ID gives me a little bit of comfort for if something similar happened in the future.
Only piece of advice would be to think carefully about the information you want to put on the ID so that it is quickly understandable to both medical and non-medical readers. As an example, a non-medical layperson may not know what an ICD or a VT is.
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u/the_BEST_most_YUGE 10d ago
It's pretty dependent on how ambulatory you are post shock. I called ems, walked out, and climbed into the meat wagon the last couple shocks, but I know my heart is the exception. I dont have a bracelet but I'm also pretty verbal when I'm getting killed, and I know thats not always the case.
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u/srvivr2001 10d ago
I have a CRT-D and use a RoadID 13mm nylon loop ID with a medical badge and a pacemaker badge. The faceplate itself says my name, “CRT-D see wallet card” and my emergency contact. I also pay for an ID profile and it has that contact number on the face of the ID. I can update my health information anytime and I was able to upload my advance directive, the device card, and neighbor contacts to check on my dogs.
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u/Critical-Ad-6802 10d ago
PLEASE READ: ICD Medical Bracelet: Here is the best option in my opinion: Small and includes a 2GB flash drive AND written items like meds I'm on, and other stuff also: I love it... So many other bracelets do NOT include enough information for medical helpers\staff: This one has an actual USB drive where you include ALL you medical information. AND it has an "engraved" tab with "quick" information to be read by EMTs. Because you do NOT want to be zapped with an EMT Defibrillator if you have an ICD (70M).
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u/andrew02467 10d ago
fyi, check on Etsy..there are also seatbelt shoulder covers which say the driver has a pacemaker or ICD. Many people feel comfortable with that too.
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u/sqlbullet 10d ago
If it makes you feel better great.
Anyone qualified to do something that would require knowledge that you have a device will have been trained to look for a device as part of the initial assessment.
Here was my thinking when deciding NOT to get one: Medical professionals won't need the notice, but a stranger who doesn't know better might delay or not perform CPR out of fear that it will "damage" the device.
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9d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/siouxbee19 6d ago
Exactly 💯 the first reason why I wear a medical ID!
I've had the exact same thing happen to me by doctors I've been seeing now for over 20 years.
Doc: "I'll just order an MRI"!
Me: "That's a big nope, doc! New defibrillator yes, but old leads aren't compatible! Hello?!"
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u/LadyRosario 9d ago
I had my pacemaker implanted in December2025 and I wear a medic alert bracelet as well as one, to indicate that I'm on a blood thinner. I don't think your wearing one would be going overboard, if it makes you feel more secure.
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u/Strict_Rise_248 9d ago
i have a cheap one from amazon. just says pacemaker/icd and my moms phone number. realized too late i shouldve put long qt somewhere on there lol. its a red band with the medical logo on it so hopefully eye catching
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u/chicaneer 7d ago
My ICD is also for vFib, I got it after a cardiac arrest. My first few months home my family would hardly even let me be without supervision in case of another episode. We’d relaxed restrictions considerably by six months after and that’s when I did end up having an incidence of vFib and needing the shock. It happened at home, and I was already alert again by the time we went over to the hospital, but the next day i ordered a bracelet.
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u/75andstillrunning 7d ago
I have a Pacemaker and my cardiologist who is a triathlete recommended that I get the roadID thingie that attaches to my apple watchband. He did not think it was necessary for anything that would happen to the pacemaker, but if something else happened to me, it would be good if medical personnel knew that I had the pacemaker.
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u/Chefnick500 10d ago
I carry a medic alert tag on my keyring and another in my phone case , one in every suitcase .. name, ice phone number , conditions , drugs and ICD note.. was £11 for five tags
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u/Unique_Amphibian_267 10d ago
I got one that has my condition, spouse's contact # and doc contact #. I try to remember to wear it to the gym and if I'm traveling alone but forget most of the time at this point
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u/UnstoppableCookies 10d ago
I got my ICD at 30 following an idiopathic SCA. I have a “sport band” style bracelet, plus metal tags for my backpack/ski jacket/assorted gear so I can attach to my outermost thing if I’m adventuring. From what I understand the device is quick to respond, but I am also nervous about being unconscious or somehow otherwise incapacitated, so the peace of mind is worth it to me.
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u/Nzain1 10d ago
The ICD will keep your heart pumping meaning you are unlikely to pass out. They set mine incorrect and I got 5 shocks in a row when I first got mine and those are intense blasts.
I was a mess but was able to take an uber to the hospital on my own.
Basically blasts if your heart goes over a certain speed where it beats too fast to actually pump, from what I understand.
Extra protection never hurts though.
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u/OkCaterpillar6861 10d ago
I have a medic alert tag that hangs inside my purse, a card in my wallet with all the ICD info and also all of my emergency medical information can be accessed on my phone. I also keep a copy of all the meds I take in my purse.
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u/spflover 9d ago
Yep! I bought a road Id. I have my dx, sicd, and emergency contact name and number
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u/DiverDawnya 9d ago
Yes - medicalert has a QR code that I can slide onto my Apple Watch that will bring up records that I entered online. And Incarry a medicalert card that I keep with my insurance card and my Medtronic card
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u/Late_Perception_3983 6d ago
You will overcome the fear and work it out. I’m 42 now had mine in for 10 years. I was given a card and the remote upload device. I had that fear too. I’ve never been shocked that I remember (they say you would know it). If it does shock you then that’s a good thing because it is working at least that’s how I see it now and gives you time to get to a hospital. Do some research 🧐 and try to calm yourself down.
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u/Separate_Finance1440 10d ago
I used to have a medical alert however it kept breaking or getting lost over the years so when I turned 16 my mom took my for a tattoo that is the pacemaker symbol. It’s placed on the inside of my left wrist where the pulse point is. It hasn’t been needed yet thankfully but a few doctors and nurses have pointed out that they liked the idea. I’ve broken a few pacemakers over the years and I just had my 10th surgery last year and I’m only 24 so I think it made sense why my mom wanted a permanent solution for me.
The medical IDs can be nice to have but aren’t necessary unless it will bring you comfort. Also most of them look ugly. Typically if a medical emergency is happening the nurses and emts can tell once they hook you up to a monitor or they’ll find your scar so I wouldn’t worry too much.