Search List your clinic
Treatment Guides

Emotional Wellbeing & Living with a Cardiac Device (Singapore)

Written by · Last updated

Emotional wellbeing
Share this article

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 28 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Getting a pacemaker or ICD is not only a physical change but an emotional one, and it is completely normal to have some difficult feelings as you adjust. Worry, low mood and anxiety are common, and, for people with an ICD, so is a specific fear of the device firing. These feelings usually ease with time, information and support, and it helps to know they are shared by many others. This guide covers the emotional side and where to find help in Singapore.

Chest pain, palpitations or breathlessness on your mind?

Message our care team on WhatsApp. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll help you find the right cardiologist — free, with no obligation.

Chat with our care team on WhatsApp

Not sure who to see? Find the right specialist →

In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.

This is general information and does not replace your team’s advice. An ICD shock with feeling unwell, or more than one shock, is a medical emergency: call 995. If you feel unable to cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, reach out: the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771.

The feelings are normal

Difficult feelings after getting a cardiac device are a normal part of adjusting, not a sign of weakness. Anxiety, low mood and worry are common in people with heart conditions, and adjusting to what a diagnosis means takes time. Naming these feelings, and knowing that many others who have the same device feel the same way, is often the first step to managing them. It is worth talking about them with your team rather than carrying them alone.

Fear of shocks

For people with an ICD, a common and understandable worry is fear of the device firing. This can be a real burden even for those who have never had a shock, and it can grow after a shock has happened. Knowing exactly what to do if a shock comes, through a written shock plan agreed with your team, genuinely reduces the uncertainty and the fear. Many people come to see the ICD as a reassuring safety net that is watching over them, rather than a threat.

Body image and the bump

It is common to have feelings about the scar and the small bump you can see and feel under the skin. For some, the device is a visible reminder of a serious heart condition, which can take time to come to terms with. These feelings are valid, and they usually soften as you heal and get used to the device. Choosing comfortable clothing and giving yourself time helps, and if the feelings persist, your team can offer support.

Loss of driving

A driving restriction, temporary for most people but longer or permanent for some professional drivers, can hit hard, affecting independence, identity and mood, and this is often underestimated by others. It is a genuine loss and worth acknowledging. Planning alternative transport, leaning on family and friends, and knowing when you are likely to be able to drive again all help. If the loss of driving is weighing on you, talk to your team or cardiac rehabilitation staff about it.

What helps

Several things ease the emotional side. Cardiac rehabilitation rebuilds not just fitness but confidence, in a supported setting. Talking openly with your cardiology team, and psychological support or counselling where it is available, can make a real difference. Peer support, meeting or talking with others who live with the same device, helps many people feel less alone. And your partner and family often worry too, so involving them, and getting them support, helps everyone. For most people these feelings ease over time with information, reassurance and support.

End-of-life and device deactivation

This is a sensitive but important point, covered gently here. Near the end of life, as part of advance care planning, it is possible to turn off, or deactivate, an ICD’s shock function, so that it does not deliver distressing shocks when someone is dying naturally. This is a planned decision, discussed openly with the person, their family and the team, and it is done simply by reprogramming the device, with no operation needed. A pacemaker, which supports the heartbeat, is generally not switched off, as that is a different consideration. Knowing this option exists can bring peace of mind, and these conversations are a normal and caring part of long-term device care.

Support in Singapore

In Singapore, emotional and practical support around a cardiac device is provided through the hospital cardiology team and cardiac rehabilitation, who are the people to talk to if you are struggling. The Singapore Heart Foundation offers cardiac rehabilitation and a Healthy Heart Support Group, where people adjusting to life after a heart event can find peer support, though there is not a device-specific group. If the emotional side ever feels too heavy, you are not alone: the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771, any time, and 995 is for emergencies. With time and support, most people come to live comfortably and confidently with their device.

Related cardiac device topics

Sources

General information only. This guide supports, but does not replace, the advice of your cardiology team, who fit and program your device and tailor your care. Always carry your device identification card, and tell any doctor, dentist, surgeon or radiographer that you have a cardiac device before any procedure or scan. Never assume an MRI is safe. Call 995 if an ICD delivers a shock and you feel unwell (chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness or fainting), if you receive more than one shock in a short time, or if someone with a device collapses: start CPR and call 995, as it is safe to touch them. Do not drive until your cardiologist and the traffic authority have cleared you. If you are struggling emotionally, you are not alone: the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771.

Browse all treatment & condition guides →

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to feel anxious after getting a cardiac device?

Yes. Worry, low mood and anxiety are common in people with heart conditions, and adjusting takes time. It is not a sign of weakness. Naming the feelings and knowing others share them helps, and it is worth talking to your team. SOS (1767) and mindline.sg (1771) are there if you are struggling.

How do I cope with the fear of my ICD firing?

Fear of a shock is common and understandable, even in people who have never had one. Having a written shock plan agreed with your team, so you know exactly what to do, genuinely reduces the uncertainty and fear. Many people come to see the ICD as a reassuring safety net.

Will losing my driving licence affect my mood?

It can. A driving restriction, temporary for most and longer for some professional drivers, can affect independence, identity and mood, and is often underestimated. Planning alternative transport and knowing when you may drive again helps. Talk to your team or cardiac rehab staff if it weighs on you.

Can an ICD be switched off at the end of life?

Yes. Near the end of life, as part of advance care planning, an ICD’s shock function can be deactivated so it does not deliver distressing shocks when someone is dying naturally. This is a planned decision discussed with the person, family and team, done by reprogramming with no operation. A pacemaker is generally not switched off.

Where can I get support in Singapore?

Through the hospital cardiology team and cardiac rehabilitation, who are the people to talk to if you are struggling. The Singapore Heart Foundation offers cardiac rehabilitation and a Healthy Heart Support Group for peer support. For emotional support, SOS is on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771; emergencies, 995.