Soccer With A Pacemaker: Dangerous Goals

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world! However, despite the active, team-building nature of the game, if one has a pacemaker, can they still participate?

It turns out… its complicated. Like with other sports, if one has a pacemaker, it is important to consult one’s doctor before participating, because both the physical heart and the medical device need to be considered before they can take part. Factors such as risk for physical impact and physical strain often need to be addressed before joining in. However, this depends on the sport and its physical requirements.

So, while you’re strapping on your cleats and shin guards, let’s discuss if/how people with pacemakers can safely participate in the most popular sport on earth.

It should be noted that for people without a pacemaker, whether they be cardiovascularly healthy or have mild CVD, then soccer is an excellent way to maintain one’s cardiac health. The article, As Hearts Race Over The World Cup, Playing Soccer Has Its Benefits From Head To Toe by Genaro C. Armas describes the benefits that playing soccer brings to the cardiovascular system. The article states that “soccer is filled with cardiovascular activities that can benefit the brain as well as the heart” (Armas, 2022). It notes how, “'with soccer comprised of highly aerobic forms of activity and exercise, the benefits that you get go across the board,’ said Dr. Ilan Danan, a neurologist at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles” (Armas, 2022). Because of this, there are clear, “positive outcomes of regular physical activity including helping to manage weight, lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Regular exercise can also improve mood, reduce anxiety, and lead to better sleep” (Armas, 2022). So, yes, for someone with a normal to compromised cardiovascular system, participating in soccer can be beneficial to your health.

However, does this also give people with pacemakers a free pass to enjoy it as well?

Yes, and no. Just as with other sports I discussed in previous articles like swimming, fencing, and hiking with such a device, whether or not someone can participate is based on their own unique health situation.

The nature of soccer requires physical activity while also carrying the distinct risk of being struck in the upper torso. Both of these factors are potentially dangerous to both the heart and the pacemaker. So, it is best to proceed with caution.

The first danger to be addressed is the need to make certain that your physical health is stable enough to safely run at a heightened speed for an extended period. This requires a doctor’s appointment to assess your physical heart health.

 Once you are cleared by your doctor, then it is time to move onto how you can keep yourself safe while playing the sport.

The device itself needs protection since being struck in the chest by the ball can potentially damage the device itself or dislodge wires. Should that happen, it could critically compromise your health which may even be fatal. No matter if you’re partially or fully paced, avoiding such an outcome is absolutely necessary.

An article, “Sport With Pacemaker” by Medizinonline discusses how “in principle, damage to the system cannot be ruled out in ball sports where hard blows to the unit may occur (football, baseball)” (Medizinonline, 2019). As someone who has their wires come undone, from a too-strong cup of coffee rather than a physical impact, I can tell you it may not be common, but it is a risk that needs to be addressed.

However, this potential danger can be mitigated by use of external physical protection that can soften the blow. So, ideally, if you have a pacemaker and have medical clearance to play the game, I would recommend doing so wearing a padded vest. This will limit the potential for injury and lets you still participate. Another idea is avoiding the position of goalie, and stick to playing the field. This limits the potential for chest and upper torsi impact, thus lowering the number of potential pacemaker threats.

Better safe than sorry.

My experience with soccer is limited. However, as a child, I never wanted it to be that way. Growing up, every Fall and Spring, my friends would all go to the soccer field. Unfortunately, because of my complicated CVD, I had to stay out and watch from afar. I also was made to wear a fluorescent crossing guard vest just as a general rule to make certain people on the playground, playing soccer or otherwise, stay away from me. This was to prevent injury, but it was deeply isolating.

One day, around second grade, I snuck onto the soccer field, just to watch from the sidelines. But that wasn’t enough, so I asked to play and they begrudgingly, allowed me to participate. Of course, not ten minutes later the ball went flying and nearly hit me in the chest. My arms blocked it, but I was told to leave and never come back because my presence, or more, my health issue’s presence, was presenting an inconvenience.

On the positive side, I eventually got tired of doing nothing outside and being intentionally isolated “for my safety.” This led me to go to the school library instead, where I began reading books and learning all I could in my spare time.

My point is that I understand the need to play soccer from the perspective of someone who has had a pacemaker for decades. Because of this, I know how dangerous it can be to play if you have a pacemaker, as that danger has remained a constant factor.

However, I also know how socially dangerous it is not to play such a globally beloved game and the damage it can do to one’s social life and self-esteem to be left out exclusively because of one’s illness.

Because I couldn’t play soccer, friendships were made around me that I simply could not participate in. That is why, I, personally, recommend that, if you love the sport or just want to try it out, you can and should still play it even if you have a pacemaker. But only with the doctor’s clearance and proper protection. To needlessly limit oneself from playing the most popular sport int the world, even for the most well-meaning reasons, can unintentionally limit the potential memories and friendships forged in the teamwork of the game that can last a lifetime.

So, if you want to play, grab a protective vest and your soccer ball and run out to the field!  

Keep Ticking, Everyone!

Wednesday, we will discuss the benefits of white tea and on Sunday, we will discuss football and pacemakers.

Stay Tuned!

Reference List:

Armas, G.C. (2022). As Hearts Race Over The World Cup, Playing Soccer Has Its Benefits From Head To Toe. [online] www.heart.org. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/11/18/as-hearts-race-over-the-world-cup-playing-soccer-has-its-benefits-from-head-to-toe.

Medizinonline (2019). Sport With Pacemaker . [online] Medizinonline. Available at: https://medizinonline.com/en/sport-with-pacemaker/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2025].

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