Medtronic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is emitting an audible beeping tone.
What if my Medtronic defibrillator is making a beeping tone?
Your defibrillator may make a beeping tone if your doctor has enabled Medtronic Patient Alert. The beeping tone lets you know that something needs attention from your doctor. For example, the defibrillator can make a beeping tone when the number of therapies you have received has increased or when the battery power of your defibrillator is low. Your defibrillator can also monitor the status of your leads and changes in your heart rhythm that your doctor wants to be aware of. If your defibrillator detects one of these conditions, it makes a beeping tone for up to 30 seconds, at least once a day.
If you hear beeping tones from your defibrillator, call your heart doctor for instructions. The beeping tone is designed to get your attention, not to alarm you. The beeping tone continues until your doctor or nurse checks your defibrillator in person.
The following are 3 different tones that may sound from the Medtronic defibrillator.
Your defibrillator may make a steady tone if you are close to a strong magnetic field. This tone warns that a magnetic field is near your defibrillator and for you to move away from the item or source containing the magnet. After moving the magnet away from your defibrillator, no further action is needed, and you do not need to contact your heart clinic.
Click to listen to the steady magnet tone
If you hear the magnet tone, the following questions can help you identify what might be causing it:
1. What was near your defibrillator when the tone occurred?
Is anything close to your defibrillator, such as a phone, headphones, or magnetic jewelry?
2. Does the tone happen at the same time or in the same place?
For example, does it occur when you're sitting down, lying in bed, or using a particular item?
3. Were any of these common items close to your defibrillator?
These items often contain magnets and may trigger the tone:
4. If the magnetic source is not clear:
5. Once the source is identified:
| Note |
| Medtronic pacemakers do not emit audible tones. |