Fencing With A Pacemaker: A Pointed Topic
Participating in physical sports can be a slippery slope if you have a pacemaker. On the one hand, you want the device to have as little impact on your lifestyle as possible. On the other hand, you don’t want it to impact your life. For those who enjoy playing football, soccer, martial arts, rugby, or any other full-contact sport, this may be a disappointment, as having a pacemaker increases the risk of dislodgement due to physical trauma to the device and its site. This may be a significant life change for those who actively participated in such sports before the implant. However, what if one picked up a sword, put on a helmet, and donned a white protective suit? Could there be any danger in such a sport?
Grab your sword and let’s slice into this question.
Like with hiking, swimming, and horseback riding, the question is complicated and must begin with whether it is a healthy sport for a healthy heart. According to my research, fencing is not only a cardiovascular sport but also helps balance many aspects of one’s physical and mental health.
The article, “Discover the Health Benefits of Fencing at St. Louis Fencing Club - St. Louis Fencing Club,” discusses how people who practice fencing experience improved cardiovascular health, coordination and agility, strength and muscle tone, mental agility and strategic thinking, stress relief and mental well-being, weight management, social interaction, and community (Stlfencingclub.com, 2024). This is why it is a sport that is practiced at all ages (Stlfencingclub.com, 2024). However, while it assumes that this sport is generally healthy, how does it specifically benefit the heart?
According to the article, “How Fencing Can Improve Your Blood Pressure At Any Age” by Thomas Ferriere discusses how the sport “enhances cardiovascular fitness” by through the “fast footwork, lunging, and rapid movements required in fencing significantly improve cardiovascular fitness. Fencing delivers an excellent aerobic workout that increases heart rate and oxygen circulation. Studies show fencers can reach over 90% of their maximum heart rate during bouts. This boosted cardiovascular endurance has been shown to lower blood pressure” (Ferriere, 2023). As such, fencing is also known to reduce stress and burn calories, which is beneficial for the sport. However, this is all good news for individuals with a healthy heart or those with cardiovascular disease but without an implant.
However, if someone has a pacemaker, it appears to be potentially safe as long as certain aspects and dangers are considered, as the medical device adds an extra layer of complication to the mix.
The first factor to consider, as it was with the other sports, is the potential for physical harm. As one uses swords of varying thickness, styles, and purposes, such as the saber, rapier, or foil, with which to strike the opponent, albeit both participants are padded, this could cause harm to the site if it is hit in just the right place with enough force. Another possibility is potentially losing one’s balance or falling. In this case, I would recommend wearing an additional layer of padding over the site to avoid this potential danger.
Another possible problem is repeated movements. Sometimes, these repeated movements can not only cause soreness but also, if done hard enough or sharply enough, could theoretically dislodge a pacemaker wire.
As it depends on the case and the individual's physical health, I would most certainly recommend discussing the start of fencing with one’s cardiologist before taking up the sword.
There is another danger that is often overlooked. The difference between picking up a sword and practicing with it for fun and the tournaments is a vest that beeps when touched. This is how the score is kept. However, in my experience, this is why I never pursued a professional career.
The vest can interfere with the pacemaker's functioning, thereby compromising the health and well-being of the individual with the pacemaker. These vests that keep score are far more accurate and efficient than traditional referees, adding a modern edge to a centuries-old sport.
However, these vests and the swords attached to them can cause EMI (electromagnetic interference) that impacts the functioning of pacemakers. As they produce electromagnetic fields (EMF), like any electric device, but it does so close to the device that it can impact the patient’s own EMF, which could impede the proper function of the device and, by default, compromise the health of the implant recipient.
I started fencing in middle school and enjoyed it. However, I couldn't participate in tournaments because I was told the vests could harm my pacemaker. I let it go, though, and just enjoyed practicing. Later, I tried again in college, but ran into the same problem. To this day, I still love fencing, but I haven't participated in it for several years. Even so, this was a boundary for me, as EMI is something I prefer to avoid if possible, because I have experienced it and found it to be distinctly unpleasant.
So, I am not saying someone should or should not take up fencing if they have a pacemaker. However, what I am saying is that one should consult with their doctor to learn the limits they must consider. Then, proceed with caution. As I said, I love fencing, but I do not, under any circumstances, take it for granted.
What about you? Do you fence with a pacemaker?
Reference List:
Ferriere, T. (2023). How Fencing Can Improve Your Blood Pressure At Any Age. [online] Fortune Fencing. Available at: https://fortunefencing.com/how-fencing-can-improve-your-blood-pressure-at-any-age/ [Accessed 13 Jul. 2025].
Stlfencingclub.com. (2024). Discover the Health Benefits of Fencing at St. Louis Fencing Club - St. Louis Fencing Club. [online] Available at: https://www.stlfencingclub.com/2024/06/08/discover-the-health-benefits-of-fencing-at-st-louis-fencing-club/ [Accessed 13 Jul. 2025].
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