The National Institute on Aging has resources on palliative and hospice care. These options can benefit both patients and their families.

People who get medical care for warning signs of cardiac arrest are 5 times more likely to survive. If you notice a warning sign, see your healthcare provider.

Over time, the battery and leads of your ICD weaken. The main part of your ICD (the generator) may stop working right. Eventually, your healthcare provider will need to replace the ICD or some of its parts. Factors that affect the life of ICDs include its type, the number of shocks given, and how much pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy your heart needs. Studies show that an ICD lasts about 5 or 6 years. CRT-Ds need to be replaced about every 4 years.

Up to one half of people using a WCD say they feel depressed or anxious when they first start using the device. Most people feel better in about 6 weeks. Ask your healthcare provider about mental health care if you have more serious or long-term symptoms.

Usually, healthcare providers recommend WCDs for people who have a short-term high risk for dangerous arrhythmias. While most people use a WCD for a few weeks or months, they can be used for a longer time by people who aren’t eligible for an ICD or who don’t want one.

ICDs can prevent death from dangerous arrhythmias. However, studies suggest that some people, such as women and people of color, are less likely to get an ICD even if they have a high risk of cardiac arrest. More studies are needed to help healthcare providers understand how these groups can benefit from ICDs. Scientists are finding ways to remind healthcare providers about the benefits of ICDs, and studies are exploring how bias and other issues may cause gaps in care.

Most people who have a cardiac arrest do not receive treatment quickly enough to survive. A person whose heart stops must get help within 10 minutes. By giving CPR to someone in cardiac arrest, you can double or triple their chance of survival.