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 sports activity, high-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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Kobza
Richard
R
Division of Cardiology, Cantonal Hospital, Luzern, Switzerland. richard.kobza@ksl.ch
Duru
Firat
F
Erne
Paul
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000531:Altitude; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*