What condition indicates a potential need for a WCD?

The need for a Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) is particularly indicated for patients who have recently experienced a myocardial infarction. This is because these patients are at a heightened risk for life-threatening arrhythmias, particularly within the first few weeks after the event. The WCD serves as a proactive safety measure, providing continuous monitoring and the capability to deliver an electric shock if a dangerous arrhythmia occurs, thus preventing sudden cardiac death in this vulnerable population.

In contrast, while patients awaiting heart surgery might be at risk for arrhythmias post-operation, it does not necessarily indicate the immediate need for a WCD unless they have other risk factors. Patients with hypertension alone do not typically have an increased risk for arrhythmias that would warrant a WCD; management of hypertension usually focuses on controlling blood pressure rather than addressing immediate arrhythmia concerns. Lastly, patients who have never experienced arrhythmias are not inherently at risk for them, so they do not require a WCD unless other risk factors are present.