FAQ

You do not need a string of marathons behind you. Strava’s analysis of the 2026 London Marathon showed that 37% of finishers were first-time marathoners. London offers one of the most welcoming and well-supported 26.2-mile courses in the world.

We are looking for regular runners who, with a year of structured training and sensible pacing, can absolutely complete the distance. If you are currently running regularly and are committed to a proper training plan, that is a strong foundation. We will support you with advice and encouragement throughout.

In a word, yes — and we would love to have you on the team. Our 2026 debut team included a cardiac arrest survivor who completed the course in fine style, and his achievement remains one of our proudest moments.

However, our overriding priority is that every Team SCA UK runner gets to the finish line safely. For that reason, we ask all survivor applicants to obtain written medical clearance from their cardiologist (or appropriate specialist) confirming they are fit to undertake marathon training and to race 26.2 miles.

We also ask that at least six months have passed since your cardiac event before applying, and ideally 18 months before race day. If you are unsure whether running is appropriate for you, your cardiac rehabilitation team or cardiologist is the right first call. You can read more about returning to normal activities after cardiac arrest in our information section.

We would rather lose a place than lose a runner.

The right answer depends on your child’s specific diagnosis, and you should always confirm restrictions with their cardiologist. That said, some common considerations apply across many inherited cardiac conditions.

Energy drinks and stimulants. Drinks high in caffeine or taurine — including most energy drinks — should be avoided by children with arrhythmia conditions. Caffeine raises heart rate and can provoke arrhythmias in susceptible individuals. This applies to strong coffee and some pre-workout supplements as well.

Swimming unsupervised. For conditions in which arrhythmias can be triggered by sudden immersion in cold water or exertion, particularly Long QT Syndrome type 1, swimming should always be supervised by someone who understands the diagnosis and can respond in an emergency. Your child should not swim alone.

Sudden loud noises. For some conditions, particularly Long QT Syndrome type 2, a sudden unexpected noise can trigger an arrhythmia. This is worth keeping in mind for alarm clocks, fireworks, and similar situations.

Competitive high-intensity sport. Whether this is restricted depends on the diagnosis and the individual. This should be discussed specifically with the cardiologist rather than assumed either way.

Fairground rides and extreme activities. High-adrenaline activities can trigger arrhythmias in conditions where the heart’s response to adrenaline is impaired. Ask the cardiologist specifically about these if they are relevant to your child’s lifestyle.

Gaming. Intense gaming can raise heart rate and adrenaline levels. There is limited evidence of specific risk for most conditions, but very prolonged, intense sessions are worth discussing with the cardiologist, particularly for conditions with adrenaline-related triggers.

This depends on the underlying condition rather than the ICD itself. Clinical thinking has shifted considerably in recent years away from blanket activity restrictions for young people with cardiac conditions, recognising that the physical and psychological benefits of exercise are significant and that unnecessarily restricting activity can do real harm to a child’s development and wellbeing.

Many children with ICDs can participate in recreational sport and even competitive sport, depending on their specific diagnosis and risk profile. Others may be advised to avoid high-intensity exertion or contact sports where a blow to the chest is possible. These decisions should be made by a specialist paediatric cardiologist with experience of exercise and inherited cardiac conditions — not by a GP or the school, and not by applying generic rules from the internet.

If your child’s cardiologist recommends restricting sport, it is reasonable to ask what the evidence base for that recommendation is, whether it applies to all sport or only certain types, and whether the guidance would change over time. A second opinion from a specialist inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) service may also be appropriate if you feel the advice is overly restrictive without clear justification.

Whatever is agreed, make sure the school and any sports coaches are aware of the plan and know what to do in an emergency.

Yes, you can ride a bike with an ICD. However, if using a stationary exercise bike, keep the wheel magnet at least 15cm (6 inches) away from your heart device. Always check with your doctor or device clinic if you have any specific concerns.

They may feel something if you are touching them when you receive a shock, just as they might if you were touching out of the water. They will not be affected differently because you are in a pool.

For most people with an ICD, moderate resistance exercise including bench-pressing is not ruled out, but there are important considerations depending on when you were implanted and what your underlying condition is.

In the weeks immediately after implantation, lifting heavy weights is restricted. Sudden forceful use of the pectoral muscle on the side of the device can place stress on the lead before it has fully bedded in, and your clinic will give you specific guidance on arm and shoulder movement during this initial period. Most people are asked to avoid raising the arm on the implant side above the shoulder or lifting anything heavy for four to six weeks.

Once fully healed, whether you can return to weightlifting depends largely on your underlying condition rather than the device itself. High-intensity exercise raises heart rate significantly and in some conditions this can increase arrhythmia risk. Your cardiologist is the right person to advise on what intensity is safe, and an exercise test may be used to assess your individual response.

There is also a practical consideration with heavy pressing movements: repeated significant pressure directly over the device site, or any exercise that causes the device to shift or become uncomfortable, should be discussed with your clinic. A protective vest or pad may help in some situations.

An abdominal implant site may require some additional caution in contact sports such as rugby, martial arts, or football, where there is a risk of a direct blow to the abdomen. Whether specific activities are restricted will depend on your underlying condition and your cardiologist’s advice, not solely on the implant location.

Discuss any sport or physical activity you want to continue or take up with your cardiologist before returning. A body protector or pad worn over the device may be recommended in some circumstances.

While ICD components are protected in titanium cases, you should still avoid activities that may involve hard physical contact.

Pressure ratings can vary among ICD models. Typical diving depths can range from 50 to 100 feet. Always check with your doctor about scuba diving restrictions.

Skiing will not interfere with your ICD. Whether you are able to ski depends on your overall medical condition and your cardiologist’s guidance, not the device itself.

Most people return to skiing and other physical activities after a full recovery from ICD implantation. Discuss any concerns with your cardiologist before you travel, particularly if you have an exercise-triggered condition, or if high altitude is relevant to your heart condition.

Exposure to pressures greater than 4 ATA is not recommended. That means diving no deeper than about 100 feet or 30 meters in seawater. Talk to your doctor about that and about any other concerns with scuba diving and your heart condition.

It depends on what kind of boxing you mean.

Fitness boxing (bag work, pad work, shadowboxing) is generally considered acceptable for most people with ICDs, provided your cardiologist has cleared you and you’re past your initial recovery period. It’s an effective cardiovascular workout and vigorous exercise alone won’t trigger your device inappropriately.

Contact boxing (sparring or competitive bouts) is a different matter. The primary concern is direct impact to your ICD site, typically the upper left chest. A hard blow to that area could potentially dislodge a lead or damage the device housing. There’s also a broader consideration with contact sports: repeated physical trauma raises your overall risk profile, particularly if your underlying condition involves arrhythmia.

Most cardiologists will advise against competitive or contact boxing. If boxing is important to you, it’s worth having a frank conversation with your cardiology team about the specific type, your underlying condition, and what a safe approach might look like.

If you do train in a boxing gym, specialist protective vests that shield the ICD site are available and worth considering.

For guidance on exercise and returning to physical activity, visit our Exercise After Cardiac Arrest page.

Always discuss contact sports with your cardiologist before taking part.

Yes. Remember to discuss exercise with your doctor, and follow their guidelines based on your own health needs. It’s always best to ease back into a fitness routine. Walk before you jog, jog before you run, etc…

Yes. Exercise is actively encouraged for most people with ICDs. Physical activity supports heart health, mental wellbeing, and recovery. An ICD is not implanted to limit you; it is there to protect you if a dangerous arrhythmia occurs.

The type and intensity of exercise that is appropriate depends on your underlying condition and your cardiologist’s guidance. Most people can resume moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, and cycling after a full recovery from the implant procedure. Some may be advised to avoid very high-intensity exercise or competitive sport, particularly if they have an exercise-triggered arrhythmia condition.

Cardiac rehabilitation is an excellent starting point for rebuilding fitness safely after cardiac arrest or ICD implantation. Ask your GP or cardiac team for a referral, particularly if you were not automatically offered one. In the UK, cardiac rehab is most consistently commissioned for people who have had a heart attack, and survivors with no identified cause (idiopathic) or an arrhythmia-related cause are sometimes not offered it. Be persistent.

For full guidance on returning to physical activity, see our Exercise After Cardiac Arrest page.

Skydiving is one of the few activities where the answer is more cautious than a straightforward yes. Most cardiologists advise against it for people with an ICD, and it’s worth understanding why before making any decision.

The main concerns are:

Physical impact on landing. Even with good technique, landing places sudden mechanical stress on the body. If your leads haven’t fully settled, or if there’s any risk of the ICD shifting, this is a genuine consideration.

Altitude. Modern ICDs are tested to function at altitude, but freefall from standard jump heights (3,000-4,000m) involves rapid pressure change. Whilst this is unlikely to affect device function, it has not been formally studied in clinical settings.

Emergency access. If your ICD delivers a shock during freefall, you’ll be at altitude and potentially incapacitated. Immediate medical response would not be possible.

That said, “not advisable” isn’t the same as “absolutely prohibited.” Your specific situation (device type, underlying condition, and how well your arrhythmia is controlled) matters significantly. Any decision should be made directly with your cardiologist, and it’s also worth contacting your device manufacturer about altitude tolerance for your specific model.

For broader guidance on returning to physical activity after a cardiac arrest, visit our Exercise After Cardiac Arrest page.

Always discuss extreme sports with your cardiologist before going ahead.

Yes. Swimming is safe with an ICD once you have fully healed from the implant procedure. Most people are advised to avoid swimming for around four to six weeks after implantation to allow the wound site to heal properly and to reduce the risk of lead dislodgement while the leads are bedding in.

After recovery, there are no specific restrictions on swimming for most ICD patients. If you swim in open water, it is sensible to go with a companion, as it is with any open water swimming.

If your cardiac arrest was caused by an inherited condition such as CPVT or Long QT Syndrome, where exercise or cold water can trigger arrhythmias, discuss specific restrictions with your cardiologist.

Yes, most people with an ICD can play football, though the level of contact involved is worth thinking through.

Association football involves running, jumping, heading and occasional physical contact. For most recreational players with an ICD, this is manageable once your cardiologist has cleared you to return to sport. Your device is designed to work during vigorous physical activity and won’t fire inappropriately during normal exertion.

The main consideration is impact to your device site. A collision or stray elbow near your upper left chest (where most ICDs are implanted) carries a small risk of lead dislodgement. This doesn’t mean you can’t play; it means it’s worth thinking about the level.

Recreational five-a-side or Sunday league: generally lower risk, and many people with ICDs play regularly.

Competitive or high-intensity football: worth a more detailed conversation with your cardiologist about your specific condition and device.

Heading the ball is separately under review in football for neurological reasons. If you have any cognitive or neurological concerns following your cardiac arrest, raise this with your care team.

Specialist protective vests that cover the ICD site are available if you want added reassurance.

For more on returning to activity after a cardiac arrest, visit our Exercise After Cardiac Arrest page.

Always discuss returning to sport with your cardiologist.

There are no restrictions for swimming in pools with your device and they are safe as long as there is no electrical current leakage into the water.

Golf is generally fine for most people with an ICD, but timing matters, particularly in the first weeks after implant.

The main consideration is lead dislodgement. ICD leads take four to six weeks to fully bed in after surgery. During that period, overhead arm movements (including the golf swing) carry a small risk of displacing a lead. Most cardiologists advise waiting until your first post-implant check-up and getting formal clearance before returning to the course.

Once cleared, the majority of people with ICDs play golf without any problems. Your device won’t interfere with your swing, and moderate exercise such as walking 18 holes actively supports cardiovascular recovery.

A few practical points to bear in mind:

• Carry your ICD device card and an emergency contact when you play
• Electric golf buggies and trolleys won’t affect your ICD, but keep your device away from powerful motors on greenkeeping machinery
• If you experience dizziness, palpitations or breathlessness on the course, stop and rest, and contact your cardiology team if symptoms persist

For full guidance on returning to activity after a cardiac arrest, visit our Exercise After Cardiac Arrest page.

Always check with your cardiologist before returning to sport after a cardiac event or device implant.