Factors related to driving in persons with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

A study of 97 persons (mean age = 66 yrs, 79% male) with an ICD for an average of 2.2 years was conducted to determine whether patients resume driving (N = 72) post-ICD insertion despite instructions not to do so. Those who had resumed were queried about their driving habits, the presence of symptoms associated with arrhythmias, the occurrence of shocks in the previous year, and the importance of driving to maintenance of lifestyle. Our assumption was that patients return to driving to maintain their pre-ICD lifestyle of functional independence, and to resume social roles such as provider for the family. Seventy-four percent of subjects reported driving an average of 60 mi/week despite being instructed not to drive by their physician or other health care provider. Of those who resumed driving, > 4% had received a shock while driving. Over 86% of subjects believe driving was an important part of maintaining one's lifestyle. Reasons for driving included necessity (62%), such as to work or a physician appointment, or social (58%), such as driving to the store or church. Symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations and lightheadedness were experienced by 80% of subjects, with 43% receiving a shock from their ICD within the previous year. There were significant correlations between driving and the importance of driving to maintaining one's lifestyle (p < .05), driving for necessity (p < .01), for social reasons (p < .01) and being the primary driver in the family (p < .05).