Luton captain shares insight into implantable defibrillator designed to safeguard his health

Wales international and Luton Town captain, Tom Lockyer, has opened up about his recent health ordeal, unveiling a groundbreaking device implanted in his chest to avert the risk of further cardiac incidents.

Lockyer’s harrowing experience unfolded on the pitch during a match against Bournemouth on December 16, when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. This alarming event occurred merely seven months after a similar episode during the play-off final at Wembley, which saw Luton ascend to the Premier League.

In a bid to fortify his health and mitigate future risks, the 29-year-old defender has undergone a procedure to implant an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Positioned beneath his skin, this device serves as a vigilant guardian, primed to intervene should Lockyer’s heart veer into dangerous territory.

Offering fans a glimpse into his medical journey, Lockyer elucidated on the functionality of the ICD in a video segment for Sky Sports. He elucidated, “It’s constantly monitoring my heart rate, and if it goes outside certain parameters, it’s designed to give me a shock. I think the battery lasts 10 years, so it only needs changing every 10 years. Hopefully, I’m never going to need it, but it’s there as a precaution.”

The compact device, nestled discreetly beneath Lockyer’s skin on his left side, is equipped with a wire that extends to his heart, ready to deliver a potentially life-saving shock if deemed necessary. Despite the gravity of his situation, Lockyer remains optimistic about his recovery and potential return to the pitch, buoyed by the examples set by fellow athletes like Christian Eriksen and Daley Blind, who have navigated similar challenges.

However, Lockyer remains cognizant of the need for patience and prudence in his journey back to competitive football. He acknowledges that the decision to resume playing rests largely with medical experts and underscores his current priorities, particularly with the imminent arrival of his child.

As Lockyer continues his recuperation, Luton Town finds themselves embroiled in a battle for survival in the Premier League. Currently positioned 18th in the league standings and teetering on the brink of relegation, the team faces a daunting fixture against Liverpool at Anfield, following a recent defeat to Manchester U