Since physicians are realising that in many cases, cardiac issues can be managed to help patients carry on with sports, experts suggest that implantable cardioverter-defibrillator can help them return to play.  Dr Elijah Behr, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, explains the trend towards keeping athletes with heart problems in the game, and that one device that can help athletes return to play after a cardiac arrest is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. It can take electronic readings from the heart and determine whether a life-threatening rhythm problem is occurring, then deliver an electrical shock to return the heart rhythm to normal. In general, the devices are highly effective for saving lives when a cardiac arrest occurs, said Dr Beher in the latest statement issued by Mayo Clinic.