Patent ID: 7515963

Claim:
A method comprising: providing handheld patient-operated user-interface for an implantable cardiac rhythm management device, the handheld patient-operated user-interface device having a more limited set of commands than a physician-operated user-interface device for the implantable cardiac rhythm management device; receiving a patient status query at the handheld patient-operated user-interface and, in response to the patient status query, the handheld patient-operated user-interface communicating the patient status query to the implantable cardiac rhythm management device; receiving, in response to the patient status query, status information at the handheld patient-operated user-interface from the implantable cardiac rhythm management device regarding the rhythm of the patient's heart; and displaying, using the handheld patient-operated user-interface, the status information obtained from the implantable cardiac rhythm management device, the displaying comprising: displaying a normal heart rhythm indication when the status information indicates that the rhythm of the patient's heart is in normal rhythm; displaying an abnormal heart rhythm indication when the status information indicates that the rhythm of the patient's heart is in abnormal rhythm; and displaying a contact caregiver indication when the status information indicates that some function of the implantable cardiac rhythm management device or the rhythm of the patient's heart is abnormal such that it is advisable for the patient to immediately contact the patient's medical caregiver.