Is it possible to practice sports with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator?

Why? The potential risks of sport for an ICD recipient include appropriate and inappropriate shocks, device damage and worsening of the underlying cardiopathy. These risks should be compared to the physical and psychological benefits of exercise. Where? Due to different medico-legal contexts and considering the results of recent studies, the new US guidelines are more permissive than the European guidelines regarding sport practice in ICD recipients. Who? The underlying context (structural or electrical cordiopathy, psychological impact) should be assessed before any decision is taken. What sport? The intensity and duration of the exercise, the environment, the type of sport (bodily contact sports or compromising the costoclavicular area) and the potential consequences for the patient or the spectators of a possible loss of consciousness must to be anticipated. How? The patient's information on the consequences of the ICD on his subsequent physical activity must be delivered before the device implantation. In addition, the type and programming of the ICD must be personalized according to the sport. When? The patient should wait at least 6 weeks after ICD implantation to return to leisure sport and after an exercise test has been performed. After a ventricular arrhythmia, the patient must wait 3 months before returning to sport.