How can athletes play with ICDs, and what happens when it goes off?
Summary
Christian Eriksen, a Danish football player, uses an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match. The ICD can shock the heart back to a normal rhythm if needed, allowing some athletes to return to playing sports with careful medical evaluation.Key Facts
- Christian Eriksen collapsed during a football match but was saved by an ICD implanted in his chest.
- An ICD is a small device that monitors the heart and delivers shocks to restart or regulate the heartbeat.
- Athletes with heart conditions like arrhythmias or heart failure may get ICDs to protect their heart.
- Returning to professional sports after receiving an ICD depends on individual health and risks, decided by the player, doctors, and team.
- Some football leagues, like Italy’s Serie A, do not allow players with ICDs, while others like the English Premier League do with personalized testing.
- FIFA and UEFA, global football organizations, permit players with ICDs in their competitions.
- Modern ICDs are designed to handle physical activity and respond quickly, but there is no complete guarantee against risk.
- Athletes learning to live with an ICD often view it as a protective tool rather than something to fear.
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