Soccer With A Pacemaker: Dangerous Goals

Given the worldwide popularity of the sport, soccer is played and enjoyed by people of all ages as both players and spectators. Fans of this sport come in many shapes and sizes and vary along the spectrum of cardiovascular health. However, there is a certain thrill that comes both from watching the sport as well as playing it. Yet, a question remains… if one has a pacemaker, is it safe to cross that line from observer to participant? This is a question that often gets overlooked, especially since it is assumed that most people with pacemakers are elderly. Be that as it may, there is a percentage of people with pacemakers who are younger, and the more cardiovascular medicine evolves, the longer and more frequently people with congenital cardiovascular problems live. As an example of this, I got my pacemaker at the age of two years old and, growing up, I was never allowed to participate in soccer out of fear for my health. Granted, there were a few reasons for that, but one of them was that I have a pacemaker. Despite its popularity and the game's active, team-building nature, is it wise to play soccer if you have a pacemaker?

It turns out… it’s 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?

From both my research and my experience, it can be said that whether someone can participate depends on their own unique health situation. But, for the most part, the answer is yes, assuming their doctor has not said anything against it.

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 address is ensuring your physical health is stable enough to safely run at a higher 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 on to 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.

While there are cardiovascular and social benefits of soccer, the danger of being struck in the chest remains. This was a key reason why I was not allowed to play as a child, along with the bruises that such a strike could cause due to my taking warfarin. However, even though this is a danger, it does not necessarily exclude someone with a pacemaker from partaking in the sport. This is because the impact and damage from a soccer ball strike to the pacemaker area can be mitigated by using external physical protection to soften the blow. Ideally, through a padded vest, not one that is bulky enough to impede movement, but firm enough to protect the pacemaker's shoulder/chest area.

So, ideally, if you have a pacemaker and medical clearance to play the game, I would recommend wearing a padded vest. This will limit the potential for injury and let you still participate. Another idea is to avoid the position of goalie and stick to playing the field. A goalie’s purpose is to protect the goal from being entered by the soccer ball, and thus, they put themselves directly in the line of fire to potentially be struck by the ball. By remaining on the field, this significantly lessens the comparable risk. This limits the potential for chest and upper-torso impact, thereby reducing the number of potential pacemaker threats.

Better safe than sorry.

My experience with soccer is limited — not for lack of wanting. Growing up, every Spring and Autumn, 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 was also made to wear a fluorescent orange-and-yellow crossing guard vest, just as a general rule to keep everyone on both the playground and the soccer field away from me. This was to prevent injury, but it was deeply isolating. It ruined the team-building social benefit of the sport for me entirely.

Regardless, for better or worse, I would not be deterred. I wanted to play soccer just like everyone else. The key reason was that all my ‘friends’ disappeared onto the soccer field every Spring and Autumn, so I was left alone to watch them play.

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 crossed forearms blocked it, but I was told to leave and never come back because my presence, or more specifically, my health issues, presented 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.

As someone who has had a pacemaker for decades, I understand both the physical risks of playing and how socially costly it is to be excluded from the most beloved sport in the world.

As a result of my not playing 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 of a padded vest. It is not necessary to limit yourself from playing the most popular sport in the world.

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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