Pickleball Player Suffers Cardiac Arrest During Hanoi Match

On December 31, 2025, a 50-year-old Romanian national playing pickleball in Hanoi experienced chest pain and shortness of breath during a game and collapsed at the entrance of E Hospital, where he went into sudden cardiac arrest. Hospital staff immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and used a defibrillator; after two shocks his heart restarted and he was rushed into further care.

Diagnostic testing identified an acute anterior septal myocardial infarction caused by a full blockage in a major coronary artery. Physicians performed an urgent catheter intervention to remove the thrombus and implanted a drug-eluting stent to restore blood flow. The patient stabilised after the procedure and was expected to be discharged within days.

Medical teams point out that pickleball’s pattern of short, high-intensity bursts and abrupt changes of direction can place significant strain on the cardiovascular system, especially in players with existing risk factors or undiagnosed heart disease. This incident joins other recent health and safety episodes around the sport in Vietnam and underscores that rapid growth in participation requires better medical readiness and public awareness to reduce pre-hospital fatalities.

For the local pickleball community the practical implications are clear. Get regular health checks, including cardiovascular screening if you are over 40, have hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, or recent symptoms such as chest discomfort or unexplained breathlessness. Follow an exercise plan tailored to your fitness level and medical status, and continue prescribed medications for known conditions. Clubs and venues should prioritise first-aid training, visible emergency action plans, and access to automated external defibrillators to improve outcomes when emergencies occur.

Organisers, coaches, and players can also reduce risk by building warm-ups that include gradual intensity increases, scheduling rest and hydration breaks, and encouraging members to report symptoms before play. As pickleball courts proliferate across cities, embedding basic medical preparedness into club routines and public facilities will be essential to keeping the sport safe for newcomers and experienced players alike.

Local players who have concerns about symptoms or risk factors should consult a physician before returning to high-intensity play.