Title: Leisure-Time Activities of Patients with ICDs: Findings of a Survey with Respect to Sports Activity, High Altitude Stays, and Driving Patterns
Background: Physicians who
are caring for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are
regularly confronted with questions concerning daily activities. This study
evaluates the habits of ICD patients
with respect to sports activities, stays at high-altitude, and driving
patterns.
Methods: A survey was
performed in 387 patients with ICDs who were followed at two hospitals in Switzerland.
The special-designed questionnaire addressed lifestyle practices concerning
sportshigh-altitude
visits, and driving motor vehicles.
Results: Fifty-nine
percent of ICD patients participated in some kind of sports activity; an ICD
shock was experienced
in 14% of these patients. Fifty-six percent of the patients reported a stay at
high altitudes at least
2,000 m above the sea level; 11% of them stayed regularly above 2,500 m; 4% of
these patients experienced an ICD shock during high altitude stay. Seventy-nine
percent of the patients drove a motor vehicle; 2% of them experienced an ICD
shock during driving, but none of them reported loss of consciousness or a
traffic accident.
Conclusion: It is accepted
that ICD patients disqualify for competitive sports. However, the patients may be
encouraged to continue leisure-time physical activities at low-to-moderate
intensity. Staying at high altitudes
and driving motor vehicles are very rarely associated with ICD shocks.
Therefore, these activities that
are likely to contribute to a better quality of life should not be discouraged
in most ICD recipients in the
absence of other medical reasons. (PACE 2008; 31:845-849)
