fullscreen

eFinder

eFinder

Home › Article

What is an ICD, the device that saved footballer Christian Eriksen?

EuroNews · 🇫🇷 public France · · 504 words · By Marta Iraola Iribarren
headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing
Ready to play
Daily briefing

What to know about What is an ICD, the device that saved footballer Christian Eriksen?

For the second time in his career, Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.

Claims checked 12
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

For the second time in his career, Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.

Why it matters

Here is how his implantable cardioverter defibrillator works.

Common ground

Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field during a game against Ukraine on Sunday.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/06/09/how-the-icd-protecting-christian-erik…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 12 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

verified Verified 4
check_circle Corroborated 4
schedule Pending 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
info Single Source 1
verified
Claim 1: “Once a pacemaker is implanted, it generally lasts over ten years... according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
While Wikipedia confirms the existence of Johns Hopkins Medicine, the provided evidence does not contain the specific statement regarding pacemaker longevity (10+ years). The search results returned dictionary definitions of 'according' rather than the medical claim.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Johns Hopkins University (often abbreviated as Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Incorporated in 1867 and opened in 1876 based on …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_University
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM) is the medical school of Johns Hopkins University, a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 1893 following the cons…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_School_of_Medici…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Incorporated in 1867 and opened in 1889, Johns Hopkin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_Hospital
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
Claim 2: “Through wires connecting it to the heart, the device constantly checks the heartbeat to detect and stop irregular rhythms, known as arrhythmias.”
VERIFIED
Medical search results from Cleveland Clinic and MSD Manuals describe the function of monitoring heartbeats and treating arrhythmias, which aligns with the claim's description of ICD functionality.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The shock briefly stops the heart from beating and, after a second or 2, it starts beating again on its own. Often, it starts back in a normal rhythm but sometimes the arrhythmia starts again.
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/heart-and-blood-vessel-disor…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — An arrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm. A problem with heartbeat signals makes your heart beat too fast, too slow or in an irregular way.An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm that’s not norm…
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16749-arrhyth…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Many people are sent for a heart rhythm monitor after reporting palpitations, skipped beats, dizziness, fainting spells, or unexplained chest discomfort.
https://cardiacassociatesnj.com/blog/understanding-holter-mo…
check_circle
Claim 3: “In 2021, he suffered a cardiac arrest during the European Championship”
CORROBORATED
The claim is confirmed by multiple independent news sources (EuroNews, BBC News, Al Jazeera) stating he suffered a cardiac arrest during the 2021 European Championship.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Christian Dannemann Eriksen (Danish pronunciation: [ˈkʰʁɛs.tjæn ˈeː.ʁɛg.sən]; born 14 February 1992) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Eriksen
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2020 or simply Euro 2020, was the 16th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men's football champion…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2024 or simply Euro 2024, was the 17th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international football championship …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2024
+ 5 more evidence sources
verified
Claim 4: “An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery-powered device placed in the chest under the skin.”
VERIFIED
Authoritative medical sources (Mayo Clinic and other health-related web results) confirm that an ICD is a battery-powered device placed in the chest under the skin.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 18, 2025 ... An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, also called an ICD, is a small battery-powered device placed in the chest. It detects and stops irregular heartbeats ...
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/implantable-card…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Oct 29, 2024 ... An ICD is a battery-powered device placed under the skin that keeps track of your heart rate. Thin wires connect the ICD to your heart.
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — An ICD is a battery-powered device placed under the skin that keeps track of your heart rate. Thin wires connect the ICD to your heart.
https://monmouthcardiology.com/monmouth-cardiology-associate…
check_circle
Claim 5: “which resulted in Eriksen being fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).”
CORROBORATED
Both Nypost and BBC News independently report that Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) following his 2021 cardiac arrest.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Christian Dannemann Eriksen (Danish pronunciation: [ˈkʰʁɛs.tjæn ˈeː.ʁɛg.sən]; born 14 February 1992) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Eriksen
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Vigilius Eriksen (2 September 1722 in Copenhagen – 25 May 1782 in Rungstedgård) was a Danish painter. He was the royal portraitist to Christian VI of Denmark.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigilius_Eriksen
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Edvard Eriksen (10 March 1876 – 12 January 1959) was a Danish–Icelandic sculptor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edvard_Eriksen
+ 2 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 6: “Daley Blind also had an ICD implanted after being diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 7: “The ICD Sports Registry, the largest study on the subject, followed 440 athletes for up to four years and found no sports-related deaths, injuries or cardiac arrests in athletes returning to sports with an ICD.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results (PMC, other medical studies) discuss the safety of athletes with ICDs, and one specifically mentions a study finding no irregular heartbeats, shock-related injuries, or deaths while competing.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Not all armed forces have policies explicitly permitting LGBT personnel. Generally speaking, Western European militaries show a greater tendency toward inclusion of LGBT individuals. On 18 July 1980, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_people_and_militar…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Many athletes who require an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) aspire to participate in vigorous physical activities and competitive sports.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12302195/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nov 1, 2018 ... That study concluded that many ICD athletes can participate in vigorous or competitive sports without injury or failure to terminate the ...
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCEP.118.006305
+ 1 more evidence source
verified
Claim 8: “If the ICD detects any irregularity, it delivers electric shocks to restore a normal heartbeat.”
VERIFIED
Web search results specifically state that if an abnormal heart rhythm is detected, the ICD delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mar 20, 2026 ... If an abnormal heart rhythm is detected the device will deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat if your heart is beating ...
https://www.facebook.com/cardiovisual/posts/implantable-card…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jan 10, 2026 ... An ICD is a small machine similar to a pacemaker that is designed to correct arrhythmias. It detects and then corrects a fast heart rate. The ...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/845354802142277/posts/260605…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — This implanted device uses small electrical impulses to help your heart beat at a natural rhythm and rate. Pacemakers help treat a type of heart disease called ...
https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-attack/signs-of-hear…
check_circle
Claim 9: “Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field during a game against Ukraine on Sunday.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent news sources (BBC News, Nypost, Al Jazeera) confirm that Christian Eriksen collapsed during a match against Ukraine on a Sunday.
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — Footballer Christian Eriksen... collapsing during an international match between Denmark and Ukraine on Sunday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewq1g7z4qzo?at_medium=RSS…
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in a friendly against Ukraine on Sunday
https://nypost.com/2026/06/08/sports/christian-eriksen-gives…
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — Danish football player Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during a friendly match against Ukraine
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/6/7/denmarks-christian…
+ 1 more evidence source
verified
Claim 10: “The study also found that ICDs in athletes can be set to a higher shock threshold without increasing negative outcomes.”
VERIFIED
A specific web search result dated May 30, 2024, explicitly states that the study found ICDs can be set to a higher threshold for providing a shock to athletes without an increase in negative outcomes.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Voyeurism is the habit of clandestine watching other people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other actions of a private nature, commonly for sexual stimulation. I…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyeurism
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head. The encephalopathy symptoms can include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems wi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopat…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart disease. ACM is caused by genetic defects of parts of the cardiac muscle known as desmosomes, areas on the surface of muscle cells which link …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrhythmogenic_cardiomyopathy
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 11: “The Dutch footballer now plays for Girona in Spain’s top division.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 12: “Katharina Bauer, a German professional pole vaulter, had a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD) implanted in 2018.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of general information about the German language and the country of Germany, but contains no mention of Katharina Bauer or her medical history.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Learn German from A1 to C2 — structured, free, and actually useful. Clear lessons, grammar rules, and interactive exercises. No signup required.
https://studygerman.io/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — German is an Indo-European language that belongs to the West Germanic group of the Germanic languages. The Germanic languages are traditionally subdivided into three branches: North Germanic, East Ger…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_language
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Germany is a developed country with a strong economy; it has the largest economy in Europe by nominal GDP. As a major force in several industrial, scientific and technological sectors, Germany is both…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.