Psychological distress in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and their partners.

•Partners report equal depression levels and higher anxiety levels than ICD patients.•Couples' distress decreases from the day before implantation to 12 months later.•Higher perceived social support benefits both patients and partners.•Both are affected adversely if the patient receives a shock.•Secondary prevention indication and symptomatic heart failure impair adjustment.