This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

ICD and fitness to fly (flying)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Condition

Lay explanation

Restriction/guidance

Following ICD implantation

If you have had an ICD then there is a risk of the lung being punctured during the insertion procedure. If it has not been punctured you can fly after 2 days. If it has then you should wait until 2 weeks after it has fully healed. In addition you should not fly after the ICD has delivered a shock until your condition is considered stable.

Fly after 2 days if no pneumothorax. In the event of a pneumothorax flying should be deferred for 2 weeks following complete resolution. Rhythm instability should be treated.

Note that these are only guidelines and each airline has its own regulations and medical standards.

Reference:

  • British Heart Foundation (September 2010). Factfile - Fitness to fly for passengers with cardiovascular disease.
  • International Air Transport Association. Medical Manual 11th Edition (2018).

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page