Table 4.
Responses to “What was the main reason that you got an ICD?”
| Theme | %a (n) | Representative Quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Improve Health/Heart Failure/Quality of Life | 29.1% (83) | “I felt it was the best way to give me quality of life and a prolonged life with my heart problem.” |
| Prolong Life/Avoid Arrest | 22.8% (65) | “I was 50 yrs old and have a 13 yr old daughter, she was 9 at the time in 2007. I am a single dad and want to see her grow up.” |
| Dr. Thought/Knows Best | 16% (47) | “After open heart surgery, my doctor had a meeting with other doctors and they thought an ICD was a good choice.” |
| Had no choice/needed it/afraid not to | 16.5% (46) | “Scared of another heart attack – talked into it by others.” “The uncertainty/I felt I was being held hostage in the hospital until I agreed.” “The doctor said he could not sign me out without a defibrillator.” |
| Peace of Mind/Insurance | 12.7% (36) | “Even though I was merely a borderline case for getting an ICD, I chose it as a type of ‘insurance’ against a problem.” |
| Joint Decision | 1.1% (3) | “A good discussion of possible risks/benefits with the doctors for my particular condition and outdoor lifestyle was positive.” |
| Other | 1.8% (5) | |
| No response | 3.5% (10) |
a
Percentage is calculated as percentage of respondents (n=285)