Many patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can safely participate in vigorous sports, despite recommendations against such activity, a Circulation study finds.

Researchers followed nearly 400 athletes (aged 10 to 60) with ICDs for about 2.5 years; participants were involved in either organized or high-risk sports (most commonly, running, basketball, soccer, and skiing). Overall, no one experienced the primary endpoint, defined as tachyarrhythmic death, resuscitated tachyarrhythmia, or severe injury resulting from arrhythmia-related syncope or shock. Participants were not significantly more likely to receive shocks during sporting activities (10%) than during other recreational activities (8%). The ICD terminated all arrhythmia episodes.

The researchers conclude: “Many athletes with ICDs can engage in vigorous and competitive sports without physical injury or failure to terminate the arrhythmia. … These data provide a basis for more informed physician and patient decision making in terms of sports participation for athletes with ICDs.”

Soure: Circulation