If you have an implanted (internal) defibrillator, can you ever turn it off?

Yes: It is rarely done in people who are using the defibrillator to help live active lives. However, at the end of life, especially in hospice patients it is very common to have the defibrillator turned off. We often have this done in hospice patients close to death to prevent the devices from delivering shocks at the time of death or after. It sounds kind of grusome, but in reality it is not.

Yes: If needed or desired, the device can be deactivated. It is a quick procedure performed using the device programmer. No additional surgery is required.