Are there restrictions on certain jobs if I have heart failure or an ICD?
Living with heart failure or an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can influence your career path, particularly if your job involves the safety of others or exposure to specific environmental hazards. While many people continue in their chosen professions with minor adjustments, some safety-critical roles have strict medical standards that may lead to restrictions. These rules are not intended to be discriminatory but are in place to prevent accidents in the event of sudden incapacity or device interference. Understanding where these restrictions apply and how to navigate them is essential for your professional planning and legal protection.
What We’ll Discuss in This Article
- Driving professionally: HGV, bus, and taxi licences
- Aviation and maritime: Commercial pilots and seafarers
- Safety-critical roles: Police, fire, and emergency services
- Working with electromagnetic fields (EMF) and heavy machinery
- Legal protections under the Equality Act 2010
- Reasonable adjustments for physical roles
- Managing workplace risk assessments
Professional Driving and Vocational Licences
The most common employment restrictions involve the DVLA medical standards for driving. There is a significant difference between a standard car licence and a vocational one.4
1. Group 2 Licences (Buses and Lorries)
If you drive HGVs (heavy goods vehicles) or buses, the standards are very strict.
- Heart Failure: If you have symptoms of heart failure (even if they only occur during exertion), your Group 2 licence will usually be revoked. You may only be relicensed if your condition is stable and you meet specific treadmill or stress test requirements.
- ICD: If you have an ICD fitted, you are typically barred from holding a Group 2 licence permanently. This is because the risk of a sudden rhythm disturbance or a device shock is considered too high for large vehicles.
2. Taxis and Private Hire
While taxi licensing is often managed by local councils rather than the DVLA directly, most councils follow Group 2 medical standards. This means a heart failure diagnosis or an ICD may prevent you from working as a taxi driver.
Aviation and Maritime Roles
Jobs that require a high degree of physical and mental alertness in remote or high-stakes environments have specialized medical boards.
- Commercial Pilots: To hold a Class 1 medical certificate for commercial flying, heart function must be optimal. An ICD is generally a disqualifying condition for commercial flight deck duties. Those with well-controlled heart failure may face severe restrictions or be limited to multi-pilot operations only.
- Seafarers: If you work at sea, you require an ENG1 medical certificate. Heart failure or a history of dangerous arrhythmias requiring an ICD will often result in a ‘Permanently Unfit’ category, as emergency medical care is not readily available on the open ocean.
Safety-Critical and Public Services
Roles in the police, fire service, and military involve high physical demand and the potential for life-threatening situations.
- Fire Service: Firefighting requires extreme cardiovascular endurance. A diagnosis of heart failure usually means you cannot perform operational duties. If you have an ICD, you may be moved to a non-operational or administrative role.
- Police Service: Operational police officers must pass a medical and a fitness test (the bleep test). While heart failure may prevent you from being an operational officer, many forces offer support to move into investigative or support staff roles.
- Military: Medical standards for the Armed Forces are some of the most stringent. A diagnosis of heart failure or the requirement for an ICD usually results in a medical discharge or a permanent ‘unfit for deployment’ status.
Working with Machinery and EMFs
If your job involves working around strong magnets or electrical equipment, your ICD may be at risk of interference.
- The EMF Risk: Strong electromagnetic fields (EMF) can occasionally ‘confuse’ a defibrillator, causing it to deliver an unnecessary shock or stop monitoring your heart rhythm.
- High-Risk Environments: Jobs involving arc welding, working near large power generators, or operating certain types of heavy industrial magnets require a specific risk assessment.
- HSE Regulations: Under the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations, your employer must assess whether your work environment is safe for someone with an active medical implant.
Legal Protections and Adjustments
Despite these restrictions, you have strong legal protections in the UK.
- Equality Act 2010: This law prevents employers from discriminating against you because of your heart condition.
- Reasonable Adjustments: If you can no longer perform one part of your job (like heavy lifting or driving), your employer is legally required to look for ways to adjust your role so you can stay employed.
Conclusion
Restrictions on certain jobs are a reality for some people with heart failure or an ICD, but they are often limited to roles where sudden incapacity could be fatal to the public. For the majority of office-based, administrative, or light-manual roles, there are no formal bans. The key is to be open with your occupational health department and your specialist. By understanding the specific standards for your industry, you can make informed decisions about your career and ensure you are working in an environment that is safe for both you and your heart.
Emergency Guidance
If you work in a safety-critical role and experience a new symptom like dizziness, chest pain, or a racing heart, you must stop work immediately and inform your supervisor. Pushing through these symptoms in a hazardous environment is dangerous. Call 999 if the symptoms do not settle or if you believe you have received a shock from your device.
Can I still work as a builder with heart failure?
It depends on the severity of your symptoms. If heavy lifting or climbing scaffolding causes breathlessness, it may be unsafe. A risk assessment should be carried out to see if you can move to lighter duties.
Why can’t I drive a bus with an ICD?
A bus driver is responsible for many lives. Even a few seconds of disorientation from an ICD shock could cause a major accident. The DVLA prioritizes public safety in these scenarios.
What is a ‘workplace risk assessment’?
This is a formal check carried out by your employer or an occupational health expert to identify any hazards (like EMFs or physical strain) that could affect your heart or your device.
Can I work as an electrician?
Yes, but you should avoid working with live high-voltage equipment where there is a risk of a significant electrical arc, as this could interfere with your ICD.
Will my employer find out about my ICD if I don’t tell them?
You are not always required to disclose your medical history, but if you work in a role with medical standards (like driving) or around EMF hazards, you have a responsibility to inform them for safety reasons.
Can I work in a hospital with an ICD?
Yes. Modern hospital equipment, including most pagers and monitors, is safe. However, you should avoid staying in an MRI suite while a scan is in progress unless your device is specifically ‘MRI conditional’ and has been checked.
Is a desk job always safe?
Generally, yes. The primary risks for desk jobs are stress and long periods of sitting. Ensuring you have a supportive chair and take regular breaks to walk around is helpful for managing fluid balance.
Authority Snapshot
This article was written by Dr. Stefan Petrov, a UK-trained physician with experience in emergency care, intensive care, and general medicine. Dr. Petrov has managed clinical transitions for patients returning to work and is well-versed in the medical standards required for various safety-critical industries. This guide is based on current 2025 standards from the DVLA, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
