[rdmirza]

Even better is installing an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in those at high risk.

[noughtme]

> at high risk.

Before an event? I’m not sure what insurance would cover this. I don’t really want open heart surgery before I need it.

[Calavar]

Plenty of insurance plans cover ICD implantation because it is recommended by the American College of Cardiology for specific situations:

1. moderately to severely reduced systolic function of the heart due to a heart attack that persists > 40 days after the heart attack

2. severely reduced systolic function of the heart of any cause that does not improve after 3 to 6 months of pharmacologic therapy

3. personal history of sudden cardiac death with a persistent risk factor

ICD implantation is not open heart surgery. It is a relatively quick procedure that is done by a cardiologist rather than a cardiothoracic surgeon.