Playing Tennis

Hi, I have been implanted with dual chamber ICD about 6 weeks back , I play tennis almost every day at club level.

Fear of damaging my leads is keeping me away from playing. Can playing tennis cause issues with leads. 

Can anyone kindly advice

 

3 Comments

Tennis

by IAN MC - 2020-03-10 11:09:32

I have a dual chamber pacemaker and play tennis 3 times a week with absolutely no problems. You are sensible not to play a normal game in the first 6 weeks after implant though.

Why not gradually ease back into it ;  I suggest you start off serving under-arm  until your confidence builds up.

I also play golf which is potentially far more demanding on the leads than tennis.

Go for it .... scar tissue soon builds up which keeps the leads in place and they also  have slack built in to allow for strenuous arm movements.

Ian

 

Tennis

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-10 12:59:20

That's one of the two sports doctors warn against for the MONTHS following lead implant. The other being golf. The problem is the overhead service can pull the leads. But, as always,  listen to your EP, not us.

The problem with what you say, Agent …………….

by IAN MC - 2020-03-10 14:08:13

.........is that some EP's are ridiculously conservative , particularly  the ones who don't play sports themselves.  There is usually no data to back up their advice.

An overhead tennis service is not particularly lead-challenging if the PM is implanted in the opposite shoulder to the serving arm. I was on a tennis court 2 weeks after implant and doing a normal serve after 6 to 8 weeks

Ian

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I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.