11/06/2026
Does Christian Eriksen have 9 lives?!
The Danish midfielder had a cardiac arrest 5 years ago on the pitch and was saved by medics performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
He then had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted, which saved his life again on Sunday during another match.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewq1g7z4qzo
There is often confusion on my courses between a pacemaker and an ICD.
🔹️A pacemaker constantly monitors a heartbeat, and when it beats too slowly or skips a beat, it sends tiny impulses to prompt it back into a normal rhythm.
🔹️An ICD will shock a heart that is beating too fast or chaotically, like an AED will.
It is safe to do CPR on a casualty with an ICD fitted, as the shock is directly internally to their heart. Their body will jerk violently but the rescuer will only feel a mild twitch.
This is further clarified in this BHF article - https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/cpr-with-a-pacemaker-and-icd
The World Cup starts tonight, so here's hoping none of the players need a shock from a defibrillator, either external or internal!
Denmark's team doctor said an ICD implanted into the footballer's chest responded as it should after he collapsed on Sunday.