An improved dual battery power system uses two separate battery power sources for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, each having optimized characteristics for monitoring functions and for output energy delivery functions, respectively. The monitoring functions are supplied electrical power by a first battery source, such as a conventional pacemaker power source in the form of a lithium iodide battery which is optimized for long life at very low current levels. The output energy delivery functions are supplied by a separate second battery source, such as a pair of lithium vanadium pentoxide batteries, which is optimized for high current drain capability and low self-discharge for long shelf life. The first battery source provides electrical power only to the monitoring functions of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and the second battery source provides all of the electrical power for the output energy delivery functions.