Nicky Solis, 64, from Bicknacre won gold in Canada months after getting a leadless pacemaker. The trust behind Southend Hospital chose it so she could lift.
A 64-year-old Essex powerlifter has won Commonwealth gold, just months after heart specialists at the trust that runs Southend Hospital fitted her with a type of pacemaker that let her keep lifting.
Nicky Solis, from Bicknacre near South Woodham Ferrers, about 12 miles north-west of Southend, became unexpectedly unwell during the summer. Doctors told her she needed a pacemaker to correct a very low heart rate, and she feared she would have to give up the sport.
Specialists at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre realised a standard device would not suit her. The centre is run by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs Southend Hospital. They fitted a leadless pacemaker instead, and in September she won gold at the Commonwealth Championships in Canada.
“The doctors took the time to ask me about my life and what I enjoyed doing,” Nicky said. “They were able to offer me an option that meant I could carry on powerlifting, which was such a relief as I really thought I might have to give it up.
“Powerlifting is really important to me, both mentally and physically.”
Why a standard pacemaker would not work
The problem was where the bar sits. Dr Christine Menexi, the consultant cardiologist who carried out the procedure, explained.
“Nicky would not have been able to continue lifting with a traditional pacemaker, which sits under the skin near the collarbone, as the powerlifting bar would have been resting in the same place,” she said.
“The advantage of the leadless pacemaker is that it is implanted directly into the heart and attached to the wall of the heart.
“We are very proud to be able to offer this technology to patients at the CTC, allowing them to continue to live their lives the way they want to after the procedure.”
According to the trust, leadless pacemakers are 90 per cent smaller than traditional ones. They have no wires and are fitted directly inside the heart rather than under the skin.
“One of the proudest moments of my life”
Nicky took up powerlifting after retiring from teaching four years ago. She joined a gym to stay fit and started with weight training, then discovered powerlifting and went on to compete in her age and weight category.
“It was amazing to win gold, especially after so many years of hard work and training,” she said. “It meant so much more after thinking I’d never be able to do powerlifting again. To come back and get Commonwealth gold was a dream come true and one of the proudest moments of my life.
“I can’t thank everyone at Basildon and Broomfield hospitals enough for the care I have received and for giving me the option of having a leadless pacemaker.”
What it means for you
The trust has fitted more than 100 leadless pacemakers since introducing them in 2023. It says the device can be offered to:
- patients whose lifestyle can make a conventional pacemaker unsuitable, like Nicky
- younger patients
- patients at higher risk of infection
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