How an S-ICD helped Jon reclaim his life after sudden cardiac arrest

Jon was playing in a charity football match when he experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. After prolonged CPR, a second cardiac arrest and several days in an induced coma, Jon received a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) to protect him from potentially life-threatening heart rhythms. Today, he is back at work, playing sports and approaching everyday life with renewed confidence and peace of mind.

A sudden and unexpected event

Jon had always enjoyed sports and considered himself healthy.  “I’ve always been active - I played football, I played golf – there was nothing to suggest anything was wrong.”

But in January 2024, while playing a charity football game with friends, Jon collapsed without warning. “That’s the last thing I remember. I don’t remember the match, I don’t remember collapsing – nothing. I’ve been told that one minute I was playing, and the next, I was gone.”

An ex-first responder at the game recognised the signs of sudden cardiac arrest, and immediately began CPR, which continued for around 40 minutes before paramedics were able to restore a heart rhythm. Jon was taken to hospital, where he went into a second cardiac arrest the same day. He spent several days in an induced coma, and the weeks afterwards recovering.

Why Jon's doctor recommended an ICD?

Following his stabilisation, Jon’s medical team investigated further and found scarring in one of the arteries supplying Jon’s heart, likely linked to a previous, undetected heart event. Given Jon’s medical history, and risk of another life-threatening heart rhythm, his doctors recommended an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Jon was presented with treatment options, including a transvenous ICD or a subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD). “I was told the S-ICD would be easier to manage long term,” Jon said. “If I was going to do it, I wanted the option that made the most sense for me.”  

What is a subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD)?

Jon received an S-ICD in February 2024. Unlike a transvenous ICD, the S-ICD is implanted under the skin and outside of the ribcage, with no leads placed inside the heart or blood vessels. This approach minimises the risk of certain complications associated with transvenous ICDs.

“The procedure itself was quite straightforward – I remember going in, feeling cold, and then waking up afterwards, and since then, living with the device has been much easier than I expected. Most of the time, I don’t even think about it. It’s just there in the background.”

Returning to everyday life

Since his cardiac arrest, Jon has made significant changes while returning to an active lifestyle. He has retrained professionally and now runs his own dog-grooming business full-time. He is also back to playing football, something that once seemed uncertain.

“The biggest thing for me is peace of mind. You can’t live your life wrapped in cotton wool, but having this device means I know I’ve got a better chance if something does happen again. It gives me confidence to just get on with life. I’d rather have it than not.”

Raising awareness of sudden cardiac arrest

Jon hopes that sharing his experience will help raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and the treatment options available to people at risk of life-threatening heart rhythms. His story is part of the #EveryBeatMatters campaign, which aims to increase awareness of heart rhythm disorders and encourage earlier diagnosis and access to appropriate care.

 

Learn more about Jon's experience by watching the video below: