Christian Eriksen to have defibrillator implanted. What this means for his career
- Denmark team doctors said that it was necessary for Eriksen to have an ICD implant
- In 2019, Netherlands defender Daley Blind was fitted with an ICD but continued his football career
- Daniel Engelbrecht returned to the field after 17 months of recovery from a heart attack
Denmark and Inter Milan footballer Christian Eriksen, following his cardiac arrest on the field, will be implanted with a heart defibrillator. The Denmark Football Union (DBU) on Thursday said that it was decided that a defibrillator was necessary after the on-field collapse. “Christian (Eriksen) has accepted the solution and the plan has moreover been confirmed by specialists”, said DBU. But what does that mean to the footballer’s career?
DBU did not provide any information about how this would affect the 29-year-old’s football career. However, there have been similar instances among footballers, which might give us an idea of what the future holds for Eriksen.
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In December 2019, Netherlands defender Daley Blind was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) after being treated for myocarditis. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. In August 2020, Blind collapsed during a pre-season friendly. Despite the medical complications in the past, Blind has continued to play at the highest level of the sport, playing regularly for Ajax and Netherlands.
Daniel Engelbrecht, a former German footballer, collapsed on the field due to a heart attack and was later treated for myocarditis and heart rhythm disorders. He was later fitted with an ICD implant. He returned to play football after 17 months of recovery. However, after suffering more heart complications down the line, he retired in 2018.
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Engelbrecht later began a managerial career with the German club VfL Bochum.
It is clear that it is not unheard of to play after having an ICD implant. DBU posted on Twitter that after Eriksen having an ICD implant was necessary. “After Christian (Eriksen) has been through different heart examinations it has been decided that he should have an ICD (heart starter). This device is necessary after a cardiac arrest due to rhythmic disturbances”, wrote DBU.
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