Cardiac Attack: Eriksen Gets Heart-Starting Device

Danish International and Inter Milan midfielder, Christian Eriksen will now be fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) – a heart equipment, following his cardiac incident in the match against Finland in the ongoing Euro 2020 tournament.

Denmark have confirmed that after series of tests were carried out by experts in the field, Eriksen will be having the potentially life-saving device implanted

The former Tottenham Hotspur player fell awkwardly to the pitch unconscious on the second match day of Euro 2020 and had to be resuscitated before being transported to hospital.

According to the Danish National team, medical specialists announced after carrying series of tests that Eriksen must have a potentially life-saving implant installed in his body.

Eriksen’s current state of health
National team doctor, Morten Boesen, who has been in contact with the cardiac specialist at Rigshospitalet and Eriksen, unveiled the latest status, saying; “After Christian has been through different heart examinations, it has been decided that he should have an ICD (heart starter).

“This device is necessary after a cardiac attack due to rhythm disturbances. Christian has accepted the solution and the plan has moreover been confirmed by specialists nationally and internationally who all recommend the same treatment.

“We encourage everybody to give Christian and his family peace and privacy the following time.”

Has Eriksen spoken since the incident?
Yes. Taking to social media on Tuesday, the attacking midfielder wrote: “Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family.

“I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.

“Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark.”

His future as a footballer?
It is not yet known whether Eriksen will be able to play football again. But it is not unheard of, though, as the example of German forward Daniel Engelbrecht showed.

Engelbrecht collapsed on the pitch while playing for Stuttgart Kickers in July 2013, having suffered from a heart attack.

He was then fitted with a defibrillator and returned to the pitch in November of 2014 after 17 months of recovery.

However, Engelbrecht suffered from more heart issues down the line and hung up his boots in 2018 to concentrate on a career in coaching.

In terms of players still in the game, Ajax and Netherlands star, Daley Blind continues to play at the highest level after having an ICD implanted in December 2019. – Goal.com report